Iowa football puts nation's top return specialist, Kaden Wetjen, on scholarship
One of the reasons Iowa can rely so heavily on special teams is its special teams coordinator, LeVar Woods. An eye for talent and an ability to get the most out of his players, he did that once again last year with return specialist Kaden Wetjen.
Advertisement
Wetjen, the winner of the 2024 Big Ten Return Specialist of the Year, the 2024 Jet Award given to the nation's top returner, and a First-Team All-American, did it all without being on scholarship. That is no longer the case.
The Iowa Hawkeyes have put college football's best return on scholarship ahead of the 2025-26 college football season.
Wejten had 26 kickoff returns last season, averaging 28 yards per return to go with one touchdown. In the punt return game, he had 26 punt returns, averaging 12.6 yards per retur,n along with an 85-yard punt return touchdown.
The product of Williamsburg, Iowa, spent time at Iowa Western Community College before joining the Hawkeyes. Faced with the chance to capitalize on his return skills by exploring the NFL or transfer portal, Wetjen elected to come back to Iowa, and the decision is now paying off.
Advertisement
Contact/Follow us @HawkeyesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Iowa news, notes and opinions. Follow Riley on X: @rileydonald
This article originally appeared on Hawkeyes Wire: Iowa football puts Kaden Wetjen on scholarship after strong year
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
USA Today
5 minutes ago
- USA Today
Fights continue break out at Steelers training camp
Robert Woods and Joey Porter Jr fight#Fights #steelers #HereWeGo #NFL #trainingcamp Steelers QB Aaron Rodgers joked that teammates were placing bets on who'd spark the first training camp fight — but the floodgates have certainly opened over the past two days. With the pads coming on during Wednesday's practice in Latrobe, physicality was expected — but maybe not in the way fans anticipated. WR Robert Woods and CB Joey Porter Jr. got into an altercation on the field after the veteran wideout continued to block the third-year cornerback through the whistle — and Porter took exception, with teammates coming to break up the ensuing fight. The very next day, there were two more skirmishes — both between new faces in Pittsburgh, TE Jonnu Smith and FS Juan Thornhill. It started when Smith threw a football directly at Thornhill after burning him in a one-on-one matchup. Smith then seemingly ripped off Thornhill's helmet when the Steelers safety approached, and the two began fighting — with teammates arriving quickly to break it up. New #Steelers TE Jonnu Smith burns former #Browns safety Juan Thornhill in practice and then throws the ball at him. Thornhill fights back. Thornhill would get his revenge later on in another one-on-one matchup with Smith, breaking up a pass and jamming the football into the Steelers tight end's chest — leading to jawing and another physical altercation, broken up by teammates. 🚨BREAKING🚨Steelers Safety Juan Thornhill and TE Jonnu Smith get into the first fight of training camp after going back and forth in 1v1s 😳🍿 Pat McAfee joked that it's far more concerning if there were zero fights at practice — and the Steelers have certainly shown a lot of heart over the past two days. Here's to hoping they can channel that same energy when it matters on Sundays, as Pittsburgh seems all in on a deep playoff run this season. For up-to-date Steelers coverage, follow us on X @TheSteelersWire and give our Facebook page a like.
USA Today
35 minutes ago
- USA Today
Alabama football 2025 season preview, predictions: Jeremiah Beaman
When searching for potential breakout candidates on the Alabama Crimson Tide's defense, Jeremiah Beaman could quickly come to mind as a possible name to know. Entering year two at Alabama, Beaman is a former top in-state prospect for the Crimson Tide who did not see much action last season, appearing in only a few games. Looking ahead to this season however, Beaman is a popular name around Tuscaloosa who could potentially be set for a breakout campaign along Alabama's defensive line, with a big reason as to why being likely increased playing time in 2025. A potential candidate to breakout, here is everything you need to know about Alabama defensive lineman Jeremiah Beaman entering the 2025 season. Jeremiah Beaman player information Jeremiah Beaman career stats Entering year two at Alabama, Beaman has so far appeared in only three games at the collegiate level. Over those three games, Beaman made two tackles. Jeremiah Beaman 2024 stats As mentioned previously, Beaman appeared in only three games a year ago as a true freshman. Beaman compiled two tackles, both of which came against Michigan. Jeremiah Beaman recruiting ranking Per the 247Sports Composite rankings, Beaman was considered as the nation's No. 81 overall player in the 2024 class, as well as the No. 13 ranked defensive lineman nationally. A four-star prospect, Beaman committed to the Crimson Tide back in May 2023, and was considered the No. 8 player in the state of Alabama where he attended Parker High School: Jeremiah Beaman 2025 roster outlook It feels likely that Beaman is set to see an increase in playing time from a year ago, but as to just how much, that likely remains a question. Entering his redshirt freshman season, Beaman is likely not projected as a starter at defensive tackle due to both Tim Keenan III and James Smith returning, but is however expected to be among the top backup options. Beaman projects as a rotation option at defensive tackle, and an argument could be made that the former in-state product enters the season as Alabama's top backup at the position. Overall, expect a breakout season for Beaman this fall in which he makes a significant impact for the Crimson Tide defense. Jeremiah Beaman 2025 season prediction Contact/Follow us @RollTideWire on X, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Alabama news, notes and opinion.
USA Today
6 hours ago
- USA Today
WATCH: Ohio State football shares highlights of first fall camp practice
Let the people know… The Buckeyes are 🔙 The seal has officially been broken on the start of fall camp for the 2025-2026 edition of the Ohio State football team. The Buckeyes are the defending College Football Playoff national champions and will begin to put the building blocks in place to try and make another run. To do it, the tone has to be set on the onset of fall camp, and by all indications, that's exactly what happened inside the Woody Hayes Athletic Center. The Ohio State football creative team is one of the best in the business and is always on the job when it comes to its social media game, and it wasted no time sharing some highlights of the first day of camp. If you haven't seen any footage of the first day of fall camp, check out some of the moments and excitement of the day thanks to what was shared by the Ohio State Football "X" account below. We'll continue to keep an eye on what's going on in fall camp as Ohio State speeds ahead towards the start of the 2025 season and the massive opener against the Texas Longhorns on August 30. Contact/Follow us @BuckeyesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Ohio State news, notes and opinion. Follow Phil Harrison on X.
