As a member of one of Iowa football’s most exclusive clubs, Kaden Wetjen’s name is now permanently inscribed in the program’s history. The electric return man for the Hawkeyes became the 35th player in school history to be named a Consensus All-American on Friday. Wetjen’s ascent seems particularly appropriate for a program that takes pride in tradition, toughness, and doing things the right way.
Being named a consensus All-American is not given lightly. It is a mark of national supremacy and is only awarded to athletes who receive first-team All-America recognition from the majority of reputable selectors. For Wetjen, it represents the pinnacle of a journey that started out in the background and culminated in him being regarded as one of the best players to have ever worn black and gold.
The beginning of Wetjen’s story is what gives it resonance. Offers were coming in from all over the nation, but he wasn’t a blue-chip recruit. After graduating from Williamsburg High School, he was undersized, under-recruited, and ignored. He enrolled at Iowa Western Community College, choosing the less-traveled route rather than the quickest route to major college football. Wetjen developed his game there in silence, becoming a dynamic playmaker and making larger programs take notice.
It didn’t take him long to establish his place in Iowa City. Even in a program with a proud history of elite return men, Wetjen brought a level of electricity that is uncommon from the moment he touched the ball on special teams. Every kickoff and punt felt like a chance, and he usually delivered. Wetjen changed the definition of what it meant to be a Hawkeyes return specialist during his time at Iowa. He finished with six combined punt and kickoff return touchdowns, shattering the long-standing program record held by the legendary Tim Dwight. Surprisingly, all six occurred during the previous two seasons, during which Wetjen frequently changed momentum and field position with a single burst of speed.
Those touchdowns changed the course of the game; they weren’t just highlights. Wetjen’s ability to generate immediate offense frequently felt like a cheat code in close Big Ten games where points were scarce. After just one successful block and one unsuccessful tackle, Kinnick Stadium erupted in cheers as he raced down the sidelines. The conference also took notice of his dominance. The only player in Big Ten history to win Returner of the Year in consecutive seasons is Wetjen. Perhaps the most impressive aspect of his resume is his consistency. Week after week, season after season, he delivered despite opponents knowing exactly who he was and what he was capable of.
Wetjen is undoubtedly the greatest returner to have ever worn an Iowa jersey. That’s not exaggeration. Records, honors, and the obvious fear he instilled in opposing special teams units support this claim. When they could, coaches kicked him away. They held their breath when they were unable to. Now that Wetjen has been named a Consensus All-American, his college career has reached a fitting pinnacle. Alongside the legends who shaped earlier eras, his place in Iowa football legend is assured. However, his journey is far from over.
Wetjen’s next destination is the NFL, where he hopes to establish himself as a professional spark plug. His skill set translates in a league where explosive plays and field position are more important than ever. History has demonstrated that there is always room for players who can instantly change games, even though he might not fit the prototype at every position. Kaden Wetjen’s journey from walk-on roots to national recognition serves as a reminder of what can happen when skill and tenacity come together. He rewrote expectations in addition to defeating the odds. As a Consensus All-American, he will always be regarded as one of the greatest Hawkeyes in history.
