Once again, LeVar Woods and the Iowa Hawkeyes have done it by finding another electrifying returner for the special teams unit. Cooper DeJean manned the duties before his departure to the NFL.
The responsibilities were handed over to Kaden Wetjen, a lesser-known JUCO transfer, who has taken them and ran with them all the way to the end zone.
The senior return specialist from Williamsburg, Iowa, and Iowa Western Community College has found his role with Iowa and owned it. His return abilities have landed him as a Burlsworth Trophy Semifinalist.
Burlsworth Trophy Semifinalist ➡️ @WetjenKaden #Hawkeyes pic.twitter.com/myDH45tyAs
— Hawkeye Football (@HawkeyeFootball) November 12, 2024
Every year, the Burlsworth Trophy is awarded to college football’s best player who began their career as a walk-on student-athlete.
Wetjen has been a weapon for Iowa in the return game. He has found the end zone and has helped win the field position battle.
This season, Wetjen has returned 21 punts for an average of 12.9 yards per punt return with one 85-yard return for a touchdown against the Northwestern Wildcats that erupted Kinnick Stadium.
He has also been a factor in the kick return game. Wetjen has returned 19 kickoffs for an average of 25.3 yards per return to help give the Iowa offense some breathing room to start their drives.
As Iowa continues their Big Ten slate with two more games, Wetjen will surely have more opportunities as he looks to break a game open with the ball in his hands.
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