Sometimes all a player needs is to be given a chance. One chance can turn into a season of chances if taken advantage of and handled properly.
The Iowa Hawkeyes need someone on offense to take their chance and run with it in 2024 for the team to become a more explosive offense that can score quickly or move the ball with chunk plays.
With the 2024 college football season just around the corner, ESPN has identified a player on each top 25 team who is a sleeper but could blossom into a big-time contributor.
For the No. 23 Iowa Hawkeyes, that player is wide receiver and kick returner Kaden Wetjen.
23. Iowa Hawkeyes
Sleeper pick: Kaden Wetjen
The Hawkeyes have to produce more pop and walk-on receiver Kaden Wetjen showed signs in the spring that he could give Iowa just that. Wetjen’s speed could parley him into a bigger role offensively, on top of returning kicks and punts. The Hawkeyes had just 20 passing plays go for more than 20 or more yards last year. That ranked last among Power 5 offenses last season. — Trotter
Wetjen, the 5-foot-10 senior from Williamsburg, Iowa, played high school football for Williamsburg High School and went to Iowa Western Community College before joining the Hawkeyes in 2023.
Last year, Wetjen touched the ball almost exclusively on special teams. When he touched it, however, he made it worth it. He averaged 23.9 yards per kickoff return and 9 yards per punt return when filling in for Cooper DeJean. He added in four rushes for 20 yards.
Wetjen’s burst could be unlocked in Tim Lester’s new offense this year due to his ability to make a defense defend sideline to sideline in the running or passing game.
If Lester is going to use motion more, Wetjen could be his guy to fill in that spot and be utilized on jet sweeps, quick screens, and other unique ways to get him the ball.
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