From small-town Iowa to the Division I record books, what a magical season it has been for Kaden Wetjen.
Wetjen burst onto the scene last season after rarely playing in his first two seasons with the Hawkeye program.
Wetjen was a star two-way player for Williamsburg High School in Williamsburg, Iowa, but was not heavily recruited.
He spent one season at Iowa Western Community College before joining the Hawkeyes in 2022.
Wetjen was stuck behind multiple talented return specialists, including Cooper DeJean, but was given a chance as the full-time returner in 2024.
He took full advantage of his opportunity, earning the Jet Award, given to the best return specialist in college football.
Wetjen was named a finalist for the award again this season, surpassing his touchdown totals from last year, and even got more involved on offense.
After becoming a key part of the opposing team's scouting report and electrifying the return game once again, Wetjen made more history.
𝐁𝐀𝐂𝐊-𝐓𝐎-𝐁𝐀𝐂𝐊 🏆🏆@WetjenKaden is the first-ever two-time Jet Award winner. pic.twitter.com/OdcHqTdOfz
— Hawkeye Football (@HawkeyeFootball) January 5, 2026
The "Jet" lived up to his nickname by earning the Jett Award again after this season, becoming the only player in history to win the award twice.
Wetjen's name has been all over the NCAA and Iowa program record books this season, passing Tim Dwight for the most return touchdowns in program history and winning the Jet Award in back-to-back seasons.
Wetjen's rise over the past two seasons has been truly remarkable, underscoring what he told reporters after the ReliaQuest Bowl.
After Iowa's impressive win over Vanderbilt, Wetjen told reporters that teams need to stop overlooking junior college players, and he is proof that just because a player plays at the JUCO level does not mean he cannot play at the Division I level.
All Hawkeye fans respect what Wetjen has done for the program, and we wish him the best as he pursues a career in the NFL.