Kade Warner: From Walk-On to Coach — The Journey of Kurt Warner’s Son

Born September 29, 1998, Kade Warner has spent his entire life trying to step out of his father’s shadow while simultaneously honoring the football legacy he inherited. As the son of Pro Football Hall of Fame quarterback Kurt Warner, Kade’s path through football has been defined by walk-on opportunities, team captain selections, and the constant need to prove himself worthy of a roster spot. His story represents the reality of athletes who carry famous names but must earn their achievements through relentless determination.

Early Life in Scottsdale

Kade Warner grew up in Scottsdale, Arizona, in a household where football wasn’t just a profession—it was the family business. His father, Kurt Warner, transformed from a grocery store stock clerk to Super Bowl XXXIV MVP with the St. Louis Rams, creating one of the most remarkable underdog stories in NFL history. Kurt’s career included 12 NFL seasons, three Super Bowl appearances, two NFL MVP awards, and a 2017 induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Kade’s mother, Brenda Warner, provided the family’s spiritual and moral foundation, instilling values of humility and community service that would shape Kade’s character. Growing up alongside six siblings, including brother Elijah who played quarterback at Temple University and later Rice University, Kade learned early that talent alone wouldn’t define his success.

Desert Mountain High School Career

At Desert Mountain High School in Scottsdale, Kade played under head coach David Sedmak, with his father Kurt serving as offensive coordinator. This unique dynamic allowed father and son to build chemistry while Kade developed his skills as a wide receiver.

Kade’s high school achievements were substantial. He broke the Arizona state record for career receptions with 241 catches, surpassing former Desert Mountain star Mark Andrews, who went on to play tight end for the Baltimore Ravens. In his senior season alone, Kade posted 1,062 receiving yards on 83 catches with 14 touchdowns. He finished his three-year prep career with 2,892 receiving yards and 35 touchdowns, earning recognition as the 2016 Arizona Wide Receiver of the Year and 2017 District Player of the Year.

Despite these numbers, Kade received zero scholarship offers to play Division I football. The lack of recruitment mirrored his father’s own experience—Kurt Warner initially received only a partial scholarship from Northern Iowa. This rejection became fuel for Kade’s competitive fire.

Nebraska Walk-On Journey

Kade joined the Nebraska Cornhuskers as a walk-on in 2017. Three days into fall practice, he broke his hand and redshirted his freshman season. The injury was the first of many setbacks that would test his commitment to the game.

In 2018, Kade started as third-string but earned a starting role by Week 5. He started seven of the final nine games, recording 17 catches for 95 yards while earning Academic All-Big Ten honors. The 2019 season brought another injury—Kade missed the first four games but returned to post eight receptions for 101 yards across seven appearances, including five starts. His career-long 26-yard reception came against Minnesota that season.

The 2020 season marked a turning point. Nebraska placed Kade on scholarship, and his teammates voted him team captain. He appeared in every game with four starts, catching five passes for 40 yards. While his statistics remained modest, his leadership earned respect throughout the program. He was named to the Brooks Berringer and Tom Osborne Citizenship teams in both 2019 and 2020.

After the 2020 season, Kade entered the transfer portal.

Kansas State Transfer

Kade transferred to Kansas State in 2021, joining head coach Chris Klieman, who had been a college teammate of Kurt Warner at Northern Iowa. The connection between families added another layer to Kade’s journey.

In his first season with the Wildcats, Kade appeared in 13 games and recorded 14 receptions for 166 yards. His best performance came in the Texas Bowl against LSU, where he posted 42 yards.

The 2022 season became Kade’s statistical peak. Named team captain for the second consecutive school, he caught 46 passes for 456 yards with five touchdowns—all career highs. He also earned second-team Academic All-Big 12 recognition. His leadership helped Kansas State reach the Big 12 Championship Game, where they defeated TCU 31-28.

Over five college seasons at Nebraska and Kansas State combined, Kade appeared in 50 games with 26 starts, finishing with 90 receptions for 858 yards and five touchdowns.

Brief NFL Experience with Tampa Bay

After going undrafted in the 2023 NFL Draft, Kade signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as an undrafted free agent on May 12, 2023. The signing carried emotional weight—he joined the same franchise where his father Kurt had played his final NFL game in Super Bowl XLIII.

During rookie minicamp and training camp, Kade positioned himself as the “smartest receiver in this draft class,” crediting 90 percent of his football IQ to his father’s coaching. He competed for a roster spot as a slot receiver and special teams contributor, appearing in preseason games and making several catches during camp sessions.

On August 28, 2023, the Buccaneers waived Kade as part of final roster cuts. He did not appear in a regular season NFL game.

United Football League Stint

On December 8, 2023, Kade signed with the Houston Roughnecks of the XFL. When the XFL and United States Football League merged to form the United Football League (UFL), the Roughnecks brand transferred to the Houston Gamblers.

On January 5, 2024, the San Antonio Brahmas selected Kade during the UFL dispersal draft. He joined head coach Wade Phillips and several former Roughnecks teammates. The Brahmas released Kade on March 10, 2024, then re-signed him on May 28, 2024. He was waived again on August 23, 2024, ending his professional playing career.

Transition to Coaching

Between his Tampa Bay release and his UFL stints, Kade began his coaching career as offensive coordinator at Maricopa Community College in Phoenix, Arizona, serving in that role from 2023 to 2024. This position gave him his first experience designing offensive schemes and developing quarterbacks.

On March 31, 2025, Quincy University announced Kade as their new offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach. Head coach Jason Killday praised Kade’s intelligence during the hiring process, noting that being named team captain at both Nebraska and Kansas State as a walk-on demonstrated exceptional leadership ability.

Kade joined a revamped Quincy coaching staff that also included defensive coordinator Dan McKeown from Western Illinois and offensive line coach Jeff Fantuzzi from Millikin University. The Hawks compete in the Great Lakes Valley Conference at the NCAA Division II level.

Kurt Warner publicly supported his son’s appointment, posting on social media that he was “a bit envious” that Kade would get to design his own offense—something Kurt had always dreamed of doing. The father-son connection between the Hall of Fame quarterback and the young coordinator generated significant media attention for the Quincy program.

Kade and his wife Abby, whom he met at Kansas State, relocated to Quincy, Illinois. In 2025, the couple announced they were expecting their first child.

Physical Profile and Playing Style

Kade stands 6-foot-1 and played at 205 pounds during his college career. At the 2023 NFL Combine, his measurements included a 31-inch arm length and 9.5-inch hand span. He ran a 4.62-second 40-yard dash with a 35-inch vertical jump and 10-foot-2 broad jump.

As a receiver, Kade was known for route precision, reliable hands, and football intelligence rather than elite athleticism. Coaches praised his ability to read defenses and make smart adjustments. His work ethic was legendary—teammates recalled early morning film sessions and late-night training sessions that demonstrated his commitment to improvement.

Living With the Warner Legacy

Being Kurt Warner’s son created unique pressures. Media outlets constantly compared Kade’s statistics to his father’s Hall of Fame career, despite playing different positions. The comparisons followed him from high school through his professional career.

Kade has addressed these expectations in multiple interviews, acknowledging that while his father’s legacy inspired him, he remained focused on creating his own identity. He used the pressure as motivation rather than burden, adopting the walk-on mentality that defined both his and his father’s careers.

The Warner family’s faith has been central to managing these pressures. Kade frequently credits his Christian beliefs for providing perspective during setbacks, from injuries to roster cuts. His Instagram bio reads “I am third,” reflecting the Warner family philosophy of putting God first, others second, and self third.

Academic Excellence

Throughout his college career, Kade maintained strong academic performance. He earned Academic All-Big Ten honors three times at Nebraska (2018, 2019, 2020) and second-team Academic All-Big 12 recognition at Kansas State in 2022. At Kansas State, he pursued a master’s degree in academic advising while competing as a graduate student.

As offensive coordinator at Quincy University, Kade emphasizes culture-building and complementary football. He believes the run game should set up play-action passing, while spreading defenses creates running lanes. His approach draws from his experiences at both Nebraska and Kansas State, where he observed how championship-caliber programs operate.

Kade’s coaching style reflects lessons learned from his father and the numerous coaches he played under, including Kansas State’s Chris Klieman. He prioritizes communication, film study, and creating schemes that maximize player strengths rather than forcing athletes into predetermined roles.

The Warner Football Family

The Warner family’s football involvement extends beyond Kade and Kurt. Brother Elijah played quarterback at Temple before transferring to Rice. Sister Jada Jo pursues acting and content creation. Sister Jesse Jo founded Freja Collective. The family includes twins Sierra and Sienna, plus Zack, Brenda’s eldest son from a previous marriage.

Kurt’s story was documented in the 2021 film “American Underdog,” starring Zachary Levi. The movie renewed public interest in the Warner family’s journey and introduced a new generation to the grocery-clerk-to-MVP story that defined Kurt’s career.

Conclusion

At 26 years old, Kade Warner’s coaching career is just beginning. His combination of Division I playing experience, NFL exposure, UFL competition, and early coaching success positions him for potential advancement through the college coaching ranks.

Kurt Warner has mentioned that if Kade ever becomes a head coach, joining his son’s staff could represent the “perfect situation” for his own return to football. The prospect of father and son coaching together adds another potential chapter to the Warner family’s football legacy.

For now, Kade focuses on developing Quincy’s offense and proving himself as a coordinator the same way he proved himself as a player—through preparation, intelligence, and relentless work ethic. Whether he reaches the heights of his father’s Hall of Fame career remains to be seen, but Kade Warner has already established something more valuable: his own identity in the sport that shaped his family.

His journey from overlooked high school prospect to walk-on captain to professional player to college coordinator demonstrates that success in football isn’t solely determined by genetics or name recognition. Kade Warner’s story is one of perseverance, faith, and the understanding that greatness isn’t inherited—it’s earned through daily commitment to excellence.