Cooper DeJean

Cooper DeJean (born February 9, 2003) is an American football cornerback and punt returner. He played college football at Iowa, where he was named a unanimous All-American in 2023.

High school career

DeJean attended OABCIG High School, a consolidated school in Ida Grove, Iowa. He played quarterback and defensive back in high school and holds numerous school records. As a senior, he passed for 3,447 yards with 35 touchdowns and rushed for 1,235 yards and 24 touchdowns. DeJean was the 2021 All-American Bowl adidas Player of the Year. In the state title game, DeJean made several impact plays as OABCIG defeated Van Meter. In a two minute span, DeJean recorded two tackles, returned a punt 14 yards, completed two passes for 52 yards, rushed three times for 22 yards and scored two touchdowns and a two-point conversion.

DeJean also played basketball, baseball and ran track in high school. In basketball, his 1,832 career points rank him behind Iowa and NFL tight end T.J. Hockenson and 55 ahead of first-team ''Parade'' All-American and NBA player Harrison Barnes on the state’s all-time scoring list. His 218 steals ranks him on the state's all-time list, eight ahead of McDonald's All-American Marcus Paige. DeJean had the fastest 100-yard dash of any runner in the state during his senior year and, at the time of his high school graduation, held the sixth best long jump in state history (24-02).

Despite his athletic record and four-star status, DeJean had limited offers coming out of high school. He would choose playing defense at Iowa over playing quarterback at South Dakota State.

College career

As a true freshman at Iowa in 2021, DeJean played in seven games, mostly on special teams, and had four tackles. He became a starter his sophomore year in 2022. DeJean played cornerback, cash (a hybrid linebacker/safety position), and punt returner for the Hawkeyes in 2022, in addition to playing safety in the preseason. Against Wisconsin, DeJean showcased his versatility, intercepting a Graham Mertz pass and returning it 32 yards for a touchdown, recording 10 tackles, forcing a fumble, downing a punt on the one-yard line, and returning four punts for 82 yards, setting up a short Iowa touchdown drive. Through three quarters, DeJean was outgaining the Hawkeye offense. DeJean was named the MVP of the 2022 Music City Bowl after recording 7 tackles, a 14-yard interception return for a touchdown, and returning three punts for 42 yards.

During the 2023 season, DeJean once again was a crucial part of Iowa's success. The Hawkeyes had a historically poor offense, but special teams and defense kept them in, and won them, games. DeJean was not targeted as much, but registered three interceptions. He allowed only 22 receptions and no touchdowns during the season. DeJean was active in the return game, including the game-winning 70-yard return with three minutes left against Michigan State and a disallowed 54-yard return against rival Minnesota, which would've resulted in an Iowa lead. The referee's call of an invalid fair catch caused considerable controversy and prompted an explanatory conference call involving Big Ten and NCAA officiating personnel. DeJean suffered a leg injury in mid-November and missed the remainder of the season. He was named unanimous consensus All-American, Tatum-Woodson Big Ten Defensive Back of the Year, and Rodgers-Dwight Big Ten Return Specialist of the Year. DeJean was a finalist for the Bronko Nagurski Trophy and Jim Thorpe Award.

He declared for the 2024 NFL draft following the 2023 season. After the season, Iowa defensive coordinator and defensive backs coach Phil Parker remarked "I didn't see Nile Kinnick play, but he might be the modern day Nile Kinnick."

References

External links

Iowa Hawkeyes bio

{{DEFAULTSORT:DeJean, Cooper
2003 births
Living people
Sportspeople from Sioux Falls, South Dakota
Players of American football from South Dakota
American football cornerbacks
American football safeties
Iowa Hawkeyes football players