One of the most electric returners in college football history earns his spot in the NFL.
Twenty-eight years after star Iowa football returner Tim Dwight was selected by the Atlanta Falcons, the Hawkeyes have a new star returner going to the NFL.
His name is Kaden Wetjen, and he was selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers with the 121st overall pick in the fourth round of the 2026 NFL Draft. Wetjen is the third Hawkeye taken off the board, joining offensive lineman Gennings Dunker and Logan Jones.
Wetjen could earn some snaps at wide receiver for the BLANK, but he was drafted for his return skills. Anyone that watched Wetjen's college career knows that, and the former walk-on is going to do everything he can to prove himself at the professional level.
Wetjen was the difference-maker for many of the Hawkeyes' wins during his consecutive Jet Award (the nation's best returner). He became the only player in Iowa history to record a rushing, receiving, kick return, and punt return touchdown in the same season, and his 26.8 yards per punt return is an NCAA Division I and Big Ten single-season record.
Wetjen was also the only player in Big Ten history to return three punt return scores and one kickoff return (a 100-yard touchdown on the opening kick at Rutgers) touchdown in the same history.
The NFL's new dynamic kickoff rule will present a unique challenge for Wetjen, but he's got his well-deserved spot in the NFL.
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HawkeyeRoundtable publisher Brad Schultz has covered the Iowa Hawkeyes since 2023. To send him story ideas, scoops, or criticize his writing, reach him at bradschultz@roundtable.io