17-04-2025
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.
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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.
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This article originally appeared on Hawkeyes Wire: Iowa football puts Kaden Wetjen on scholarship after strong year
