Central Michigan University Athletics
2025 Football Roster

Jersey Number 41
Rusty VanWetzinga IV
- Position:
- Tight End
- Height:
- 6-0
- Weight:
- 230
- Class:
- Redshirt Sophomore
- Hometown:
- Pleasant Valley, Iowa
- High School:
- Pleasant Valley H.S.
- Previous School:
- Iowa
- Twitter:
- @rusty_j_van
- Instagram:
- @rusy_j_van
Transfers to Central Michigan after playing two years at fullback at Iowa … Enrolled at Central Michigan in January 2025 with three years of eligibility remaining.
2024 AT IOWA
As a redshirt freshman running back, played in four games … Had no statistics.
2023 AT IOWA
As a true freshman running back, saw first career action in 35-0 Citrus Bowl loss to Tennessee … Earned redshirt.
HIGH SCHOOL
A 2023 graduate of Pleasant Valley High School, where he played four years of varsity football for head coach rusty VanWetzinga … Three-time All-State linebacker … Three-time first-team all-conference as a linebacker and running back … Two-time team defensive MVP… Team Total Effort Award recipient as a senior… Three-time state wrestling qualifier and 2022 state champion… Three-time academic all-conference honoree … Helped his team to a combined 30-5 record over his final three seasons at Pleasant Valley High School… His team advanced to the state semifinals his sophomore campaign and the quarterfinals his junior and senior seasons… Two-time team captain… Also lettered in wrestling and competed in basketball, soccer and track.
PERSONAL
Born Rusty VanWetzinga IV on April 19, 2004 … Son of Rusty and Julie VanWetzinga… Has a younger brother, Joey… High school football coach was his father, Rusty… Hobbies and interests include fishing away from the football field… Originally committed to Northern Illinois, but changed plans once the Huskies announced they were leaving the Mid-American Conference … Plans to major in Business.
ARTICLES
Former Iowa football fullback signs with Group of 5 program
2024 AT IOWA
As a redshirt freshman running back, played in four games … Had no statistics.
2023 AT IOWA
As a true freshman running back, saw first career action in 35-0 Citrus Bowl loss to Tennessee … Earned redshirt.
HIGH SCHOOL
A 2023 graduate of Pleasant Valley High School, where he played four years of varsity football for head coach rusty VanWetzinga … Three-time All-State linebacker … Three-time first-team all-conference as a linebacker and running back … Two-time team defensive MVP… Team Total Effort Award recipient as a senior… Three-time state wrestling qualifier and 2022 state champion… Three-time academic all-conference honoree … Helped his team to a combined 30-5 record over his final three seasons at Pleasant Valley High School… His team advanced to the state semifinals his sophomore campaign and the quarterfinals his junior and senior seasons… Two-time team captain… Also lettered in wrestling and competed in basketball, soccer and track.
PERSONAL
Born Rusty VanWetzinga IV on April 19, 2004 … Son of Rusty and Julie VanWetzinga… Has a younger brother, Joey… High school football coach was his father, Rusty… Hobbies and interests include fishing away from the football field… Originally committed to Northern Illinois, but changed plans once the Huskies announced they were leaving the Mid-American Conference … Plans to major in Business.
ARTICLES
Former Iowa football fullback signs with Group of 5 program
Press Conf. Heldman vs BGSU
Saturday, October 18
Press Conf. Joe Labas vs BGSU
Saturday, October 18
Coach Drinkall Press Conf. vs BGSU
Saturday, October 18
Coach Drinkall Press Conf.
Sunday, October 05