Kaden Wetjen eyes increased role with Iowa football, WR depth

USA Today

23-07-2025

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.
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