Latest news with #2024JetAward
USA Today
5 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Kaden Wetjen eyes increased role with Iowa football, WR depth
As Iowa football's 2025-26 season is just under seven weeks away, senior wide receiver Kaden Wetjen spoke with the media recently and discussed how he plans to build off an outstanding campaign with the Hawkeyes' special teams unit last year. Last season, the 5-foot-9, 196-pound native of Williamsburg, Iowa, returned 26 kickoffs for a total of 727 yards, averaging 28.0 yards per return, including a sensational 100-yard kickoff return score against Missouri in the Music City Bowl. In the punt return game, Wetjen returned 26 punts, averaging 12.6 yards per return, along with an 85-yard punt return touchdown against Northwestern. As a result of his stellar special teams play that totaled a Big Ten and nationwide-leading 1,055 combined return yardage, Wetjen won the 2024 Big Ten Return Specialist of the Year, the 2024 Jet Award given to the nation's top returner, and was named a first-team All-American. While Wetjen was not as involved as a receiver, with a total of just three receptions for 46 yards last season, he said he has goals for a much-improved 2025 campaign at the position that could mirror his special teams' skills. "To do the same thing I did at return. Have a big year and create a lot of production, that's the plan. And we have a bunch of other guys in the room who can do the same thing as well. And I'm super excited to see everybody work," Wetjen said. Wetjen was then asked how the depth at wide receiver has helped him work towards achieving his goals at the position, which he answered by saying that Iowa has significantly improved the group over the offseason through competition on the depth chart and in practice. "That's the best part," Wetjen added. "You got guys who are challenging you for your spot. I mean, like I said, there's gonna be a bunch of guys who will play, and we're just making each other better every day." With the Hawkeyes revamping their offensive capabilities for second-year coordinator Tim Lester over the offseason, highlighted by the transfer additions of quarterback Mark Gronowski, wide receiver Sam Phillips, and offensive linemen Bryce George and George Nahas, Iowa has the potential for a breakout 2025-26 campaign that fans have dreamed of for years. Iowa opens the season on Aug. 30 against FCS-level Albany from Kinnick Stadium at 5 p.m. CT on FS1. 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 Scout on X: @SpringgateNews
Yahoo
17-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Iowa football puts nation's top return specialist, Kaden Wetjen, on scholarship
The Iowa Hawkeyes have long relied on special teams to be a differentiator for them in close games and give them an edge. Oftentimes, it has paid huge dividends for Iowa and has resulted in game-defining plays that end up turning into wins. 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
