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Dunker, Wetjen Named SN Preseason All-Americans

Senior offensive tackle Gennings Dunker and senior return specialist Kaden Wetjen were both named to the Sporting News Preseason All-Americans with second team distinction.

by Bailey Turner

IOWA CITY, Iowa – University of Iowa senior offensive tackle Gennings Dunker and senior return specialist Kaden Wetjen were both named Sporting News Preseason All-Americans with second team distinction.

Wetjen (5-foot-9, 196 pounds) returns for his senior season after winning the 2024 Jet Award and Rodgers-Dwight Return Big Ten Specialist of the Year, as well as being voted first team all-conference. Wetjen’s 1,055 combined kick return yards in 2024 led the country by a wide margin. A candidate for the 2025 Jet Award, Wetjen was first in the FBS in kickoff return yards (727) and second in punt return yards (328). The Williamsburg, Iowa, native had two returns for scores in 2024, including a 100-yard kickoff return against No. 19 Missouri in the Music City Bowl. Wetjen also returned a punt 85 yards 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.

 

Gennings Dunker gets ready to tackle in a home game versus Washington

Dunker (6-foot-5, 315 pounds) started 11 contests as a junior and was a dominant force on the right side of Iowa’s offensive line that was recognized as a semifinalist for the Joe Moore Award in 2024. The Lena, Illinois, native was a second-team all-conference honoree, as well as an Academic All-District selection. Dunker, who is also a candidate for the 2025 Outland and Wuerffel trophies, helped pave the way for Iowa’s offense rushing for more than 200 yards in seven games last season.

The Hawkeyes kickoff the season against UAlbany on Aug. 30, at Kinnick Stadium beginning at 5 p.m. (CT). Tickets are available for purchase for the season opener at hawkeyesports.com/tickets.

HAWKEYES ON 2025 WATCH LISTS
* Rhys Dakin – Ray Guy Award
* Gennings Dunker – Outland Trophy // Wuerffel Award
* Aaron Graves – Nagurski Trophy
* Mark Gronowski – Maxwell Award
* Logan Jones – Outland Trophy
* Kamari Moulton – Doak Walker Award
* Drew Stevens – Lou Groza Award
* Kaden Wetjen – Jet Award