Despite having a dominant season, Kade Wetjen was left off of the AFCA All-American List. Following the announcement of the most recent All-American teams, especially those chosen by the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA), Iowa football fans are still shaking their heads. Many were taken aback when senior standout Kade Wetjen, one of the Hawkeyes’ most explosive playmakers, was unexpectedly named a Second-Team All-American. The decision has left both Iowa supporters and analysts with a bad taste in their mouths, given the enormous impact Wetjen had on the field this season.
This season, Wetjen’s name has frequently appeared on All-American lists, and for good reason. Numerous Hawkeyes players have received national recognition, and the team has been winning numerous awards. However, few have accumulated as many honors as Wetjen. Despite this, he was mysteriously demoted to the Second-Team by the AFCA, despite being acknowledged as a First-Team talent by other outlets.
Let’s examine the All-American process in more detail to put this in perspective. While most agree on a few important Hawkeyes, Wetjen’s placement by AFCA has been a stark anomaly among the five recognized outlets that determine consensus All-American status. A player’s dominance in their position across several reputable organizations is supposed to be reflected in their selection as a consensus All-American. However, it is impossible to overlook the disparity in this instance.
For instance, the awards committees have given senior center Logan Jones a perfect score. As the best center in the country, he won the coveted Rimington Trophy and was selected as a First-Team All-American by USA Today, The Athletic, Walter Camp, and the Associated Press. Additionally, CBS Sports selected him for the Second Team. In the end, Jones’ string of First-Team selections solidified his status as a consensus All-American—a title he surely earned.
Meanwhile, Wetjen has had an incredible season as well. USA Today, CBS Sports, and Walter Camp have all named him a First-Team All-American. His dependability, adaptability, and capacity to alter games on special teams have been truly remarkable. However, Wetjen was placed on the Second-Team when the AFCA announced their choices, which has left many questioning what the AFCA actually considers important when assessing specialists.
Wetjen has an overwhelming case for First-Team recognition based on the numbers. He finished with 965 all-purpose return yards, of which 427 came from kickoffs and 538 from punts. In addition, he scored one touchdown on a kickoff and three on punt returns for a total of four touchdowns. He demonstrated efficiency and explosive playmaking ability on almost every touch, accomplishing all of this on just 33 total returns.
In contrast, KC Concepcion of Texas A&M was selected for the AFCA’s First Team. Although Concepcion had a good year, Wetjen’s statistics are far superior. Concepcion failed to record a single kickoff return while amassing 460 punt return yards with two touchdowns on 24 returns. Wetjen outperformed Concepcion in every quantifiable category, which makes his selection to the Second-Team all the more perplexing.
There are those who contend that the AFCA might have taken into account factors such as intangible contributions or overall team impact in addition to raw statistics. Nevertheless, Wetjen’s exclusion appears to be especially difficult to defend given the designation of “specialist.” The numbers and impact speak for themselves if the award is intended to recognize the top returner and all-purpose specialist in the country. In addition to his statistical prowess, Wetjen regularly altered games in ways that few players in the country can match.
For Hawkeyes supporters, this is about respect rather than just acknowledgment. Throughout the season, Wetjen has been a driving force on special teams, turning the tide in crucial situations and producing highlight-reel plays. It is annoying to see someone who is obviously superior put behind a player who, in practically every way, failed. The AFCA’s ruling raises concerns about the standards used to define excellence in college football as well as the evaluation procedure.
In the end, Wetjen’s body of work from this season is quite impressive. He has repeatedly shown that he belongs in the top tier of the country with his explosive returns and ability to change momentum. There is no doubting his influence on the field, even though the AFCA’s ruling may prevent him from being named a consensus All-American this year. Not only will his performance go down in history, but Iowa supporters who witnessed him dominate every game will also remember it.
As the Hawkeyes prepare for bowl season, one thing is certain: Kade Wetjen has earned every bit of First-Team respect possible, and it’s time for institutions like the AFCA to do a better job of assessing the best players in the game. After all, statistics and the thrilling thrill Wetjen brings to every shot are truthful.
