If Kaden Wetjen taught us anything this season, it is that speed kills.
Wetjen sprinted into the Iowa record books after a stellar career in Iowa City, where he compiled 2,492 total return yards (954 punt, 1,538 kick) and six total return touchdowns (four punt, two kick).
Even though he was seldom used in Iowa's passing attack, Wetjen made an impact every time he touched the ball, and the Hawkeyes are searching for a player with a similar skillset as he heads into graduation.
After the calendar flipped to 2026, the Hawkeyes are heavily focused on locking up talent in the 2027 recruiting class, including a speedster from Texas with a similar size and skill set to Wetjen.
Iowa offered 2027 Texas speedster Javian Jones-Priest
The Iowa program has traditionally looked for multi-sport athletes with transferable skills to add to the roster, and they may have found another with 2027 Texas running back prospect Javian Jones-Priest.
After a great conversation with @CoachOYoung, I am blessed to receive my 16th 🅾️ffer from The University of Iowa!#AGTG @Martin_Football @BDammone @CharlesPower @dctf @Marchen44 @Jason_Howell @GPowersScout @Josh_Scoop @MikeRoach247 @samspiegs @BenjaminGolan pic.twitter.com/LNftGcwzaD
— Javian ”JP” Jones-Priest (@javian_jp) January 22, 2026
After a conversation with Iowa running backs coach Omar Young, Jones-Priest announced he received his 16th college offer.
Jones-Priest is a blur not only on the football field from his running back position, but on the track as well.
He was named a USA Track and Field All-American, and reportedly has a 10.49 100-yard dash time.
Jones-Priest is quickly rising up recruiting boards with his blinding speed an athleticism, and the Hawkeyes will have an uphill climb to pry him away from multiple Power Four programs.
JP already has offers from Baylor, Cal, Indiana, Minnesota, Texas Tech, and SMU among others.
247Sports has ranked Jones-Priest as a three-star prospect, Texas's No. 47 overall prospect, and the No. 23 running back prospect in the 2027 recruiting class.
Rivals has ranked Jones-Priest as a three-star prospect, Texas's No. 92 overall prospect, the No. 55 running back prospect, and the No. 710 overall prospect in the 2027 recruiting class.
Even though JP is currently only a three-star prospect, expect him to take a jump as the 2027 recruiting cycle gets further in.