Kaden Wetjen

IOWA CITY — University of Iowa senior return specialist Kaden Wetjen has been selected as one of 10 semifinalists for the Burlsworth Trophy, an award presented to the most outstanding college football player who began his career as a walk-on.

Wejten is leading FBS with 751 combined kickoff return yards and is on the Jet Award Midseason List. He is 12th nationally (25.3) in kickoff returns and punt returns (12.9).

The native of Williamsburg native had an 85-yard punt return for a score against Northwestern, the seventh-longest in school history.

He had 100+ kickoff return yards in three straight games (Washington, Michigan State and Northwestern) in 2024, a first by a Hawkeye since at least 1978.

The selection committee will announce the top three Burlsworth Trophy finalists on Nov. 19. Finalists will be honored and the winner will be announced on Dec. 9 in Bentonville, Ark.