Calumet’s TJ Caldwell was overcome with emotion in the aftermath of his history-making performance on Friday.
“I cried a little bit,” he said.
The junior wide receiver had 10 catches for a single-game program-record 307 yards and four touchdowns, including an 89-yarder and a 79-yarder, in Calumet’s 52-16 win against West Side.
“I knew it was a big rivalry game, Gary versus Gary,” Caldwell said. “But coming into that game, I was not planning on doing that at all. I was just planning to do what I could for my team to win the game.
“When I heard my stats, when the coaches told me I had over 150 in the first half, I was surprised. I didn’t know that myself. I was like, ‘Let’s keep it going.’ Then when I heard my stats after the game, I was surprised. Joining the 300 club is amazing. I never would’ve thought that would happen in my life — high school, college, any time I stepped on the field. When I heard I had 300 yards, it was a blessing. It happened. I still don’t have words for it.”
Caldwell opened the season with two catches — both TDs — for 92 yards against Bowman and has 12 catches for 399 yards and six scores in two games. The 5-foot-10, 150-pounder has added three carries for 17 yards and another TD as the Warriors (2-0) prepare to play Wheeler, which won their matchup last season.
None of what Caldwell has done has really surprised second-year Calumet coach Cody French.
“If he’s able to get open and get the ball in space, he can do some damage,” French said. “He’s a great vertical threat. He can stretch the field. He runs great routes. He’s a student of his position. He loves playing wide receiver, and he takes it very seriously.”
Caldwell had 14 catches for 210 yards and two TDs last season, when he was the third option behind then-seniors Mario Price, now at St. Xavier, and Jamarie Murry, now at Kentucky State. He also had 163 yards and a TD on 15 carries.
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“He’s gotten a lot better since last year, and he was good last year,” French said. “I would look for him to get better week in and week out just because of how he approaches it mentally and physically on the practice field.
“When it comes to studying the game, he knows the guys who are covering him, what their strengths and weaknesses are. That’s not coming from me. He learns it on his own. He knows where he wants the ball, what routes he likes for the week, and we listen to him. He’s a very high-level player.”
Caldwell has received interest from a handful of Division I programs.
His father, Tracy Caldwell, was a standout wide receiver at Arkansas from 1990 to 1993 and is Calumet’s receivers coach. He also works with the defensive backs.
“He has good pedigree and a good work ethic to go along with it,” French said of TJ Caldwell.
Caldwell had a productive offseason. He improved his route-running and his hands. He attended several camps. He credited his father and his coaches, including from his 7-on-7 program, for working with him to make those strides.
Caldwell has started since his freshman season, but this one is his first as “the guy” for the Warriors, French said.
“I’ve been playing with a chip on my shoulder,” Caldwell said. “Last year I didn’t really get to do much. But I didn’t throw a fit. You live and you learn. I kept working, and I’ve been playing well this year.
“Mario and Jamarie, they were some of the best mentors I ever had. Since those seniors left, now I’m getting more opportunities, and I’m making the most of it. I’ve always had people ahead of me, and now I’m starting to prove myself. It’s a dream come true. I’ve been showing what I can do, and I plan to keep it consistent.”
Caldwell also sees time at cornerback, depending on the opponent.
“He’ll play corner in the games where we feel like teams want to throw the ball,” French said. “He’s not going to play much corner against run-heavy teams. But he’s a good cover corner. If a team has a good receiver, a solid passing game, we like him on defense.”
Caldwell’s success hasn’t been limited to football. He also has excelled in track, placing eighth in the state in the long jump as a freshman and ninth last season.
“I’m planning on winning this year, though,” Caldwell said.
Winning state championships in both sports, exceeding 1,000 yards, becoming the state’s best wide receiver and receiving more Division I offers motivate him.
“I never expected any of this to happen in my high school career,” Caldwell said. “When I came to Calumet, I was just trying to be an athlete. I never expected to have this many achievements in my life. It’s been a blessing since my freshman year.”