Latest news with #FCS-level
USA Today
an hour 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
USA Today
3 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Iowa football Big Ten home opener among ESPN's top conference games
As the 2025-26 college football season approaches, ESPN released an article featuring the top 10 Big Ten games of the season, with one particular Iowa football matchup involving an upward-trending conference opponent. While the beginning of the season features many high-profile matchups in both conference play and non-conference action, ESPN has listed Iowa's Sept. 27 game against Indiana from Kinnick Stadium as one of its top matchups. Indiana is fresh off one of their most successful seasons in program history in 2024, where the Hoosiers finished with an overall record of 11-2, an 8-2 conference record, and qualified for the program's first-ever College Football Playoff appearance in head coach Curt Cignetti's first season. While ESPN did not provide much of an explanation as to why they chose the Sept. 27 game against the Hoosiers over the other impactful matchups on the Hawkeyes' slate, the clash between both former Big Ten West division foes will be Iowa's first significant challenge of the season and be a precursor for their ability to compete against the conference's top programs later on. The article also took a deep dive into each Big Ten program's outlook for the upcoming season, identifying Iowa's need to win close games with its consistently stingy defense, as the strength of its newly improved offense is still unknown. With six games projected within one score and visits from Penn State and Oregon (you know Iowa will scare at least one of them), close games will make the difference between potential CFP contention and finishing 7-5. But it's almost comforting knowing exactly what the Hawkeyes are going to look like regardless. - Bill Connelly, ESPN The Hawkeyes open their 2025-26 campaign on Aug. 30, when FCS-level UAlbany visits Kinnick Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 5 p.m. CT and will be broadcast 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.
USA Today
16-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Iowa football QB Mark Gronowski receives deflating Big Ten ranking from On3
With the 2025-26 college football season just around the corner, On3's Andy Staples released his top ten rankings of Big Ten quarterbacks Tuesday morning, which ranked Iowa football quarterback Mark Gronowski in a questionable spot. While the top of Staples' rankings was headlined by Penn State's Drew Allar at No. 1, Illinois' Luke Altmyer at No. 2, and Indiana's Fernando Mendoza at No. 3, Gronowski was given a very unappreciative spot of No. 10 on the list. Given Gronowski's lore at the FCS-level, the No. 10 spot is quite a jab at the high-expectations Hawkeyes fans have for both the quarterback and offensive output this season. 6-foot-3, 230-pound signal caller transferred to Iowa from the FCS-level powerhouse South Dakota State in the offseason with one year of eligibility remaining and was a prized addition to the Hawkeyes, as he carries significant quarterback prestige. During his time with the Jackrabbits, Gronowski passed for 10,308 yards and 93 touchdowns while holding a 63.5% completion percentage. His mobility with the football was also a strength, as he rushed for 1,767 career yards and 37 touchdowns. He would finish his South Dakota State tenure with a 49-6 record as a starter, a two-time FCS National Champion and National Championship Game MVP, 2023 Walter Payton Award winner (given to the most outstanding FCS player), and a 2023 First-team FCS All-American. While Iowa's offensive output has been hindered in years past by inadequate quarterback play and ineffective playcalling, the No. 10 ranking should serve as a motivator for both Gronowski and offensive coordinator Tim Lester as the Hawkeyes begin their 2025-26 campaign in late August. Gronowski and the Hawkeyes open the season against FCS-level Albany on Aug. 30 from Kinnick Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 5 p.m. CT and will be broadcast 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.
USA Today
03-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Eight Iowa football players garner Phil Steele preseason honors
As the 2025-26 college football season approaches, eight Iowa football players received Phil Steele preseason honors, according to the college football publication's June 25 announcement. In total, five Hawkeyes garnered preseason All-America laurels, while eight earned preseason All-Big Ten accolades. According to the announcement, Iowa's All-American honorees include senior offensive tackle Gennings Dunker, senior defensive tackle Aaron Graves, and senior return specialist Kaden Wetjen, who were each selected as second-team All-Americans. Additionally, senior center Logan Jones was named a third-team All-American, while sophomore punter Rhys Dakin was picked as a fourth-team All-American by the publication. In regards to the All-Big Ten accolade, Iowa had two preseason second-team all-conference honorees in senior offensive guard Beau Stephens and senior kicker Drew Stevens, and a third-team selection in senior defensive end Ethan Hurkett. With the Hawkeyes set to open their 2025-26 campaign on Aug. 30 against FCS-level Albany at 5 p.m. CT at Kinnick Stadium, the Phil Steele honors will give many Iowa fans excitement as they wait to see the team take the field in the fall. 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
USA Today
02-04-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Lions 2025 draft prospect profile: Grey Zabel, IOL, North Dakota State
Lions 2025 draft prospect profile: Grey Zabel, IOL, North Dakota State Detroit Lions 2025 draft prospect profile and scouting report for North Dakota State IOL Grey Zabel, who projects best at center and has a strong connection to the Lions coaching staff One of the positions most likely for a prospect to make the big jump from the FCS level to success in the NFL is the offensive line. Lions head coach Dan Campbell has firsthand experience from his Saints days with two small-school prospects who became Pro Bowl linemen in the NFL in Jahri Evans and Terron Armstead. Grey Zabel from North Dakota State has an opportunity to prove he can be the next FCS standout to become a very good NFL starting offensive lineman. Grey Zabel, OL, North Dakota State The Bison star played left tackle as a fifth-year senior after two seasons of splitting time (roughly 70/30) playing right tackle and left guard. Zabel earned his spot in the Senior Bowl and thrived during the week of practices in Mobile while primarily playing center--a position he only had played sparingly (14 snaps) as a sophomore. The offensive coordinator at NDSU for the first four years of his career was current Lions TE coach Tyler Roehl. Because of his short arm reach (32 inches), Zabel projects as an interior-only lineman in the NFL. Measured at 6-foot-6 and 312 pounds Has nearly 1,000 snaps at both left tackle and right tackle Allowed just 4 career sacks in over 1,100 pass protection snaps 1st-team All-American as a senior Voted top Senior Bowl practice player by the players Turned 23 in March Games watched: Colorado, Illinois State, Montana State and South Dakota State (playoffs), Senior Bowl week (in person) Positives Comes from a pro-style offense with a similar gap/power blocking scheme to Detroit's Outstanding lower-body quickness and flexibility for a taller lineman Quick-footed off the snap in any direction Very good at resetting his hands and staying square against speed-to-power Active eyes and quick reactions; tough to fool him on a twist or blitz Finishes well in the run game Decent power and consistent pad level in run blocking Negatives Quicker pass rushers were able to dictate first contact due to his short arms Will lean into run blocks outside his initial reach Will be playing a new position while also making a massive jump in level of competition Gives up his chest too readily in pass protection at times He's not lacking grit by any means, but Zabel doesn't play with violence to his game Overall Zabel brought an impressive résumé to the Senior Bowl from the premier FCS-level program, but he had to shift from tackle to center (and guard). It took about three practice reps before Zabel asserted his dominance at the new position, and did so against many Day 2 defensive linemen prospects. Zabel's quickness, agility and technical savvy are all high-level traits. Lions TE coach Tyler Roehl knows him very well, and that's invaluable for helping Zabel potentially transition to the next level. His game reminds me more than a little of 7-time Pro Bowl center Alex Mack. Zabel should absolutely be in consideration for the Lions first-round pick--if he's still on the board. Like Mack (No. 21 overall back in 2009), Zabel should be a top-25 pick.
