Cooper DeJean

Cooper DeJean developed a calling card as college football's most versatile player during his time with the Iowa Hawkeyes. After the 2023 season, DeJean was named the Big Ten Defensive Back of the Year and Return Specialist of the Year. He also was a finalist for college football's top defensive player last year despite missing the end of the season with a broken fibula suffered mid-November in practice. In 2022, DeJean had five interceptions and returned three for touchdowns. He's got receiver-caliber ball skills as a defender and averaged 13.1 yards per punt return over his last two seasons at Iowa combined. “I feel like I have the size and speed to play corner,” he said. “I also understand that I can play multiple positions. I feel like I have the athleticism to play any position in the back end. It’s football, and I love to play football. So, you put me on the field, I’m going to play football wherever I am.” DeJean was originally a four-star recruit out of Ida Grove Battle Creek High School and the No. 5 prospect in Iowa's 2021 recruiting class.