I thought it would be fun to pick a topic each day throughout football season based on news around the football world and let AI tell you all about it, or in this case him. I’m going to look for news relevant to the 2026 NFL Draft and let the techno aliens of the world give it to you in a digestible manner.

The whole reason I’m starting this? I asked ChatGPT the news from around football and it gave me this clip of Iowa QB Mark Gronowski ripping one into WR Kaden Wetjen. What a throw, what a catch!

Even though wearing #21 as a wide receiver should be a war crime, Wetjen caught my attention with this highlight catch. He’s an ELITE punt returner for the Hawkeyes, and I really think he can be a valuable roster piece in the NFL. He’s undersized and not going to blow anyone away with his 40 time, but he has moxie, and he reminds me of guys like Jha’Quan Jackson and Britain Covey. If Gronowski can get the most out of him as a receiver, it might make sense for a team to call his name late on day three of the 2026 NFL Draft.

Anyway, here is what our future overlords are saying about him.

P.S. AI uses way too many emojis it’s insane.

In a college football landscape dominated by big names, big transfers, and big NIL deals, it’s rare to find an underdog story as electric as Kaden Wetjen’s. The Iowa Hawkeyes senior wide receiver and return specialist has carved out a name for himself — not through hype, but through sheer explosion every time he touches the ball.

From walk-on to All-American, Wetjen has not only captured the hearts of Hawkeye fans but is now firmly on the radar of NFL scouts as one of the most dynamic punt returners in the country.

Wetjen’s 2024 season was one for the books:

Whether it’s flipping field position or turning a punt into six points, Wetjen has become one of the most feared special teams weapons in college football.

Wetjen’s game-breaking ability earned him a stack of awards in 2024:

He became the first Hawkeye to win the Jet Award, putting his name alongside legends like DeSean Jackson, Tyler Lockett, and Dante Hall — all elite return men who later made their mark in the NFL.

Hailing from Williamsburg, Iowa, Wetjen started his college career at Iowa Western Community College, excelling as a multi-sport athlete. Despite other offers, he chose to walk on at the University of Iowa in 2022 — betting on himself in an era where many chase bigger programs through the transfer portal.

That bet paid off.

His story has become a rallying cry for small-town athletes everywhere: you don’t need stars next to your name — you just need the ball in your hands and the end zone in your sights.

While Wetjen may not be a Day 1 or 2 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, he’s a classic example of a player who will make a roster because of special teams.

NFL Punt Returner Projection:

With special teams still playing a massive role in today’s NFL, Wetjen could be the kind of Day 3 value pick or UDFA steal that carves out a multi-year pro career.

You can find several highlight clips of Kaden Wetjen’s returns on social media and YouTube. Here are a few places to start:

Kaden Wetjen doesn’t just return punts — he changes games. In an era obsessed with size and hype, Wetjen reminds us that football is still about making plays. NFL teams looking for immediate special teams juice should take notice. The next great return man might just be wearing black and gold.