Caden Filer is one of the best players from the Seattle, WA area in the Class of 2020.
The 6-foot-2, 187-pound Filer, who attends Lincoln High School, is a pinpoint quarterback.
Filer has already earned plenty of awards and recognition during his career, including:
2017 All PCL QB / Tacoma Weekly All City QB
2018 Nike Elite 11 Regional Invite (Las Vegas 5/12)
2017 Diamond Freshman All-American
2017 Nextgen The Show All-American (Freshman)
2017 Northwest 9
2017 Adidas May Madness
Filer is humbled for the opportunity to showcase his skills against the best of the best.
“It’s an honor and means I must be doing something right. I love any chance to compete, especially against the top players in the nation,” Filer said. “For one, it was really special to be able to meet and make new friends from around the country. Some of them I still talk to regularly. Those experiences of learning how to adapt to new people and cultures really help you moving forward in life.”
No matter the opponent, on each snap Filer is determined to give it his all.
Filer is going all out.
The motor is always at full throttle whenever Filer steps between the lines.
“My mindset has to be to dominate,” Filer said. “Everything I do I have to be the best, doesn’t matter if it’s a game or we are doing routes on air in practice. I want to dominate and have people in the stands asking who this dude is.”
Filer has great passion and energy whenever he’s on the gridiron. Filer tells why he enjoys the game of football so much.
“I love to compete. I love football,” Filer said. “I love anything and everything from preparing, practicing, to playing. But I love to compete.”
Filler has learned many valuable lessons from playing football that he applies to his everyday life.
The main one is applying perspective to all situations.
“You have to fight for what you want. There’s only one QB at a time on the field,” Filer said. “If I want to be on the field, then I have to be the best. Really simple.”
Filer recalls his favorite football memory.
“Playing with the kids I grew up with,” Filer said. “You aren’t going to have a better bond than that.”
Offensive coordinator/QB coach Shalls Jacome has coached Filer for two seasons at Lincoln High School.
Jacome explains the best parts of Filer’s game.
“He has a high football IQ and exceptional short/intermediate accuracy. He has good footwork. He understands different throw velocity and timing,” Jacome said. “He knows the option game very well. He makes good decisions most of the time.”
Filer takes his role as one of the leaders on the team very seriously. Filer makes sure he’s a daily positive influence on his peers.
“To me it’s not something you think to do. Either you are, and you’re first in line and doing things right, or you’re not and nobody wants to follow you. We are a family at Lincoln and we will take our family versus their team any day,” Filer said. “Stick to the process, keep your head low, and opportunities will come your way. I promise.”
Filer is appreciative of having amazing male role models that are supportive.
“I’ve learned you can’t control everything. Sometimes things happen and you just have to deal with it and move on. Our core convents for Lincoln Football: Love - you can depend on me. Ownership - It’s my life so it’s my responsibility. Accountability - Hold myself and each other to high standards. Discipline - The future is more important than how I feel now,” Filer said. “They’ve just been good role models to me and my teammates. At Lincoln they’ve set a higher standards for football players to be somebody to look up to.”
Jacome recalls an example of Filer’s capabilities.
“Deep post completion in between two defenders for a TD,” Jacome said. “Most QB designed runs against our last playoff opponent.”
In addition to making clutch plays, Filer also has a high level of football IQ as well.
Filer has excellent football awareness that puts him in position to thrive.
“He understands coverages and blitzes. He knows when to check down to a running back,” Jacome said. “He understands how to anticipate throws.”
Filer is on the grind to perfect and hone his craft in any way possible.
“During the football season after practice everyday he stayed an extra 30 minutes or so to throw in with his wide receiver,” Filer said. “Usually there is about 5-6 wide receivers throwing with him.”
Jacome loves the intangibles that Filer possesses.
“He's a gamer. Extends plays with his legs and is always looking to get the ball downfield,” Jacome said. “Not the fastest but is able to escape pressures and outrun defenders.”
Meanwhile, Filer patterns his style of play after this NFL MVP.
“A player that I look up to is Cam Newton,” Filer said. “He brings an aspect to the game where you can tell that his teammates want to play for him.”
Filer is constantly striving for greatness in everything that he does.
“My goal is to win. On the field that is straight forward, my goal is to win a state championship for Lincoln High School and Tacoma this season,” Filer said. “Off the field I have the same mindset; I want to put myself in the best opportunities that I can.”
One of the colleges Filer is interested in is all the way on the other side of the country: The University of Miami.
“When I was younger I grew up loving The U just for all the swag they brought to the game,” Filer said.
Filer lists forensics as his favorite subject in school.
“Solving crimes is fun and could be useful in the future,” Filer said.
Jacome outlines the next areas of improvement for Filer.
“Deep ball accuracy. We’re working on his footwork and arm trajectory to improve this area,” Jacome said. “Also working on his overall athleticism to become a running threat in our offense.”
Jacome believes the sky is the limit as long as Filer continues to stay hungry.
“He can become a college player. He has a very high ceiling,” Jacome said. “He is playing in a traditional Air Raid Offense so he continues to develop his abilities as a passer. He is one of the best 2020 quarterbacks in the state in my eyes. He should have a breakout year this season.”
Speak with a Youth1 Recruiting Counselor
Youth1’s Recruiting Counselors are on a mission to educate you on the recruiting process - one that's very competitive and starts early. Let us provide guidance through the most important decisions that shape your athlete's journey in sports.
Learn how to become a recruitable student-athlete, find out what colleges you match best with, and get the ability to message college coaches directly with a specialized recruiting package.
Don't wait, schedule a time to speak with a Youth1 Recruiting Counselor. It's FREE! Just fill out the following information and then select a date and time in the form below.
This article was written and posted by one of our talented contributors. If you think you've got the writing, research and social media skills to join Youth1's freelance team then send a resume and writing sample to sdelia@youth1.com for consideration.