As the first-ever two-time Jet Award winner, Kaden Wetjen solidifies his reputation as one of college football’s most explosive return specialists. IOWA CITY, Iowa — Few could have predicted Kaden Wetjen’s future when he entered Kinnick Stadium a few seasons ago as a relative unknown. In less than three years, he has developed into a legendary college football player in addition to being a special teams standout.
The news that Kaden Wetjen had been named the 2025 Jet Award winner, honoring the country’s best return specialist, was made on a cool December afternoon amid mounting excitement surrounding the conclusion of the 2025 college football regular season. In doing so, he became the first player in history to win the award twice. For both the University of Iowa and college football fans across the country, this honor solidifies a career that has been nothing short of extraordinary.
The Jet Award, named for College Football Hall of Famer and Heisman Trophy winner Johnny “The Jet” Rodgers of Nebraska, is given to the nation’s best return specialist. Its list of winners reads like a who’s-who of captivating playmakers, despite the fact that it has only been around for a little more than ten years. However, until now, no player had ever been at the top of that list twice.
After an incredible season in which he led the country with 1,055 combined kick return yards, topped the FBS in kickoff return yards, and ranked second in punt return yards, Wetjen, a senior from Williamsburg, Iowa, first won the award after the 2024 campaign. He enthralled scouts, fans, and award voters with two return scores, including an incredible 100-yard kickoff return against Missouri in the Music City Bowl and an 85-yard punt return against Northwestern.
But last season’s honor now feels like a prologue to what he’s accomplished in 2025.
Wetjen was unrelenting from the first whistle of this season. He routinely tore through coverage teams, forced tacklers to miss, and transformed routine plays into highlights that changed the course of the game. According to official Hawkeye statistics, by the end of the season, he had an incredible stat line: 427 kick return yards with a 100-yard touchdown and 538 punt return yards with three touchdowns, including scores of 50, 62, and 95 yards.
These numbers led the entire country, not just the Big Ten. His three punt return touchdowns tied for the third-highest total in league history, and his 28.3 yard punt return average set a Big Ten single-season record.
There was more to it than just numbers. Wetjen’s ability to score touchdowns from rushing, receiving, punt returns, and kickoff returns in a single season made him the only player in the country and in program history. This accomplishment demonstrates his adaptability, instincts, and bravery. Those who kept a close eye on him this year will tell you that the numbers don’t fully capture the picture. Wetjen transformed a seemingly ordinary special teams opportunity into a game-changing moment on multiple occasions.
He fielded the first kickoff in a crucial game against Rutgers and ran untouched for a 100-yard score that electrified the sold-out crowd. This is the kind of play that shifts momentum and inspires teammates. He electrified the Kinnick Stadium crowd with a 95-yard punt return for a touchdown in another game against UMass, tying both Iowa and Big Ten records.
Wetjen’s dependability and competitive spirit were commended by head coach Kirk Ferentz, who has led Iowa through a period of national award winners. After a midseason victory, Ferentz remarked, “There’s a reason he’s up here again.” Few players are able to alter the game the way he does. Positive things happen when you give him the ball. Ferentz’s brief comments struck a chord: Wetjen wasn’t merely a returner. He made a difference.
According to teammates, the credit extends beyond athletic prowess. One offensive lineman told reporters, “Kaden has this grace under pressure that I’ve never seen.” He’s already preparing his next move while everyone else is retreating and preparing for contact. That’s what sets him apart. Although the humility in that remark struck a chord, it also highlighted the fact that Wetjen’s success is cerebral rather than merely physical.
Wetjen’s dominance in a conference known for tough special teams play was further demonstrated by the fact that by the end of the season, both coaches and the media had named him to the first team All-Big Ten.
One of the most challenging choices of the year was made by the Jet Award panel, which was composed of members of the media, former winners, and co-founders Johnny Rodgers and William Reed: how to honor someone who has already received recognition? There wasn’t much discussion in Wetjen’s case. With unparalleled consistency and game-changing ability, he had set himself apart from a field of elite return specialists. The panel’s choice created history because Wetjen was the first player to win consecutive Jet Awards.
Wetjen responded to the news by telling Big Ten Network that the accomplishment was “surreal,” particularly in light of the caliber of players in the conference. He remarked, “There are so many great returners.” “It’s a feeling I’ll never forget to be acknowledged in this way and to know you’re the first to ever do it twice.” He continued by saying that former Hawkeye greats—players whose names reverberate through Kinnick’s legacy—inspired him.
There is a deep connection to Hawkeye history. From Tim Dwight to contemporary standouts, Iowa supporters have long admired players who excel on special teams, and Wetjen’s performance this season has analysts and fans alike comparing him to the greatest to ever wear black and gold. Beyond the stats, he provided fans with something uncommon in college football: unadulterated excitement on each return, which can change the course of an entire game and uplift a stadium.
Wetjen’s leadership was just as clear off the field as it is in the national spotlight. His work ethic and ability to mentor younger players were commended by both coaches and teammates. He accepted the position of special teams captain and led by example in both meetings and training. He was a valuable asset due to his professionalism and attitude, not just his explosiveness.
Scouts and draft analysts are discussing Wetjen’s potential future at the next level. In the NFL, where special teams output can make all the difference in close games, some question whether a player with his instincts, vision, and return ability could carve out a niche. Others note that his exceptional performance makes him an attractive prospect, pointing to the route taken by recent return specialists who went on to become professionals. Wetjen’s influence on Hawkeye football is already enduring, even though that chapter is still unwritten.
Fans flooded social media feeds with messages of admiration, gratitude, and amazement for what Wetjen accomplished as the season came to an end and Iowa got ready for postseason play. He not only excelled but also redefined what a return specialist could be, from the season’s first kickoff to that thrilling final touchdown return. And that’s precisely how winning the Jet Award twice feels.
