Iowa speedster Kaden Wetjen continues to dazzle in the return game for the Iowa Hawkeyes.
The Williamsburg, Iowa, native is the reigning Jet Award winner, given to the best return specialist in college football, and is living up to that award this season.
"The Jet" earned back-to-back Big Ten Special Teams Player of the Week nominations in weeks three and four following dynamic performances in the return game.
Against UMass, Wetjen tallied a career-high with 216 total return yards (184 punt return, 32 kick return), including a 95-yard punt return touchdown.
His 95-yard punt return touchdown tied a Big Ten and Iowa program record.
In Iowa's week four matchup on the road against Rutgers, Wetjen immediately silenced a raucous Rutgers crowd after he took the opening kickoff 100 yards for a touchdown.
Before the Hawkeyes welcome the Penn State Nittany Lions to Kinnick Stadium Saturday night, Wetjen earned another award nomination.
Midseason All-American 🇺🇸@WetjenKaden x #Hawkeyes pic.twitter.com/j3srnXZvqd
— Hawkeye Football (@HawkeyeFootball) October 15, 2025
The Sporting News named Wetjen a Midseason All-American as he continues to rack up accolades this season.
Wetjen has been dynamic in the kick and punt return game all season, leading the nation with 522 combined return yards (236 kick, 286 punt).
Wetjen is also ranked No. 1 in average punt return yards per game (26.0), second in kick return touchdowns (one), and third in punt return touchdowns (one).
The Hawkeyes have also utilized Wetjen's speed and athleticism on offense by giving him a more expanded role.
Through the first seven weeks of the season (including a bye week in week six), Wetjen has tallied three rushing attempts for 26 yards and a touchdown, and 11 receptions for 59 yards and a touchdown.