The upcoming 2022 season will be the year that Wayne senior Kaleb Madden gets his turn in the spotlight. Playing wide receiver in an offense dominated by quarterback Ethan Mullins who was primarily a runner, Madden performed in the shadows. But with Mullins now gone, Madden and veteran coach Brandon Sharp see a different kind of offense for the Bulldogs this season.
“We’ve got a new sophomore quarterback in Jaxon Dill, and he throws the ball really well,” said Madden. “He and I have been working out together during the spring and summer and I think he’ll be one of the best quarterbacks to ever come through Wayne when all is said and done.”
Coach Sharp also sees some change in the way the Bulldog offense will attack this year.
“Kaleb is a guy we’ve got to get the ball to more to this year. He’s a tremendous athlete-one of the best I’ve ever had here,” said Sharp, now in his 16th year at Wayne. “Even though he played in Mullins’ shadow last year he still made some valuable contributions. I think we’ll throw more this year with Jaxon Dill, and we’ll get Kaleb more involved with some jet sweeps and screens. He’s one of the fastest kids I’ve ever coached.”
Even though Madden is a VYPE top 100 football player, basketball is really his sport.
“I just really like the excitement of basketball more,” said Madden who started playing in the sixth grade.
The fact that he has two older sisters and a twin sister who all play basketball probably also figures into his love of the game. His basketball role model is Russell Westbrook and the highlight of his athletic career at Wayne thus far is a 33-point game he had last year against Konawa.
In football, Kaleb says he likes the offensive side of the ball more because you get to score touchdowns and as a defensive cornerback admits his speed helps him out.
“I think on defense my biggest asset is my speed because if I make a mistake in coverage my speed can help get me out of a jam sometimes,” said the senior who is also in student council and the National Honor Society with a 3.8 GPA.
Kaleb is one of just three seniors this year so he knows that his ability to lead will be a big key to success for the Bulldogs.
“I think as a leader I need to ensure everyone is working hard and not slacking off while also being a good role model for them,” said Madden who says his mom and girlfriend are his primary motivators.
As he prepares for his final season of competition at Wayne, Kaleb Madden knows the kind of legacy he would like to leave.
“I would like to be someone that the younger players could look up and that was easy to talk to.”
