Iowa’s Kaden Wetjen Wins 2025 Jet Award and Makes History

Iowa return star Kaden Wetjen has just taken another one to the house!

Hawkeye Star Wins Prestigious Award

Iowa Hawkeye star returner Kaden Wetjen has won the 2025 Jet Award, according to Hawk Central. The honor is handed out annually to the nation's top return specialist in college football. In a press release announcing the winner of this year's award, Wetjen is called "special" and "a threat every time he touches the ball." That is something Hawkeye fans know very well!

Wetjen Makes College Football History

If Wetjen winning the Jet Award sounds familiar, it's because he also took home the award in 2024. Hawk Central reports that Wetjen is the first player to ever win the award twice. He also took home the Big Ten Rodgers-Dwight Return Specialist of the Year award for the 2nd straight year, and was a consensus All-American.

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From Iowa Walk-On to Hawkeye Legend

The Kaden Wetjen story sounds like something written in Hollywood. The Williamsburg native started at Iowa Western Community College and then transferred to Iowa as a preferred walk-on.

In 2024, Wetjen had two punt returns for touchdowns, but he was just getting warmed up! In 2025, he returned three punts and one kickoff for a touchdown, breaking Tim Dwight's Iowa record!

Will Kaden Wetjen Play in the NFL?

What's next for Kaden Wetjen? After finishing his Iowa career with a win over Vanderbilt in the ReliaQuest Bowl, he'll now set his sights on the NFL. While he may be a bit short to play receiver at the next level, the league definitely has room for return specialists who can take it to the house!

Never count out Kaden Wetjen!