Wetjen back on Jet Award Watch List

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IOWA CITY -- University of Iowa senior kick return specialist Kaden Wetjen has been named to the 2025 Jet Award Watch List, announced by the Jet Award Foundation on Friday.

The Jet Award honors the most outstanding return specialist in college football. Wetjen was the 2024 honoree after a stellar junior campaign.

Wetjen was chosen as an All-American by the Football Writers Association of America and The Sporting News, was voted the Big Ten's Rodgers-Dwight Return Specialist of the Year, and earned first-team All-Big Ten accolades in 2024.

Wetjen's 1,055 combined kick return yards led the country by a wide margin. He was first in the FBS in kickoff return yards (727) and second in punt return yards (328).

The Williamsburg native had two returns for scores in 2024, including a 100-yard kickoff return against No. 19 Missouri in the Music City Bowl. The return is tied for the longest in program history and tied Iowa's longest bowl game kickoff return and the Music City Bowl's longest kickoff return. Wetjen had three returns for 151 yards against the Tigers, averaging 50.33 yards per return, which is an Iowa bowl game record.

During the regular season, Wetjen also returned a punt 85 yards for a score against Northwestern, the seventh-longest in school history.

The award, named in honor of Heisman Trophy winner and College Football Hall of Famer Johnny "The Jet" Rodgers, will culminate with the presentation at the Jet Award Gala on April 2, 2026, in Omaha.