Cooper DeJean (born February 9, 2003) is an American professional football cornerback and punt returner for the Philadelphia Eagles of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Iowa Hawkeyes, receiving unanimous All-American honors in 2023. DeJean was selected by the Eagles in the second round of the 2024 NFL draft.
 DeJean with the Eagles in 2024 | |||||||||||||
| No. 33 – Philadelphia Eagles | |||||||||||||
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| Position: | Cornerback Punt returner | ||||||||||||
| Personal information | |||||||||||||
| Born: | February 9, 2003 Sioux Falls, South Dakota, U.S. | ||||||||||||
| Height: | 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) | ||||||||||||
| Weight: | 198 lb (90 kg) | ||||||||||||
| Career information | |||||||||||||
| High school: | OA-BCIG (Ida Grove, Iowa) | ||||||||||||
| College: | Iowa (2021–2023) | ||||||||||||
| NFL draft: | 2024 / round: 2 / pick: 40 | ||||||||||||
| Career history | |||||||||||||
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| Roster status: | Active | ||||||||||||
| Career highlights and awards | |||||||||||||
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| Career NFL statistics as of Week 11, 2024 | |||||||||||||
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Early life
editDeJean grew up in Odebolt, Iowa, and attended OA-BCIG, a consolidated school in Ida Grove, Iowa.[1] He played quarterback and defensive back in high school and holds numerous school records.[2][3] 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.[4] 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.[5]
DeJean also played basketball, baseball and ran track in high school.[6] 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.[7] 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.[8][9]
College career
editAs a true freshman at Iowa in 2021, DeJean played in seven games, mostly on special teams, and had four tackles.[10] He became a starter his sophomore year in 2022.[11][12] 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.[13] 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.[14] 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.[15] 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.[16] DeJean suffered a leg injury in mid-November and missed the remainder of the season.[17] 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.[18] 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."[19]
Professional career
edit| Height | Weight | Arm length | Hand span | 40-yard dash | 10-yard split | 20-yard split | Vertical jump | Broad jump | Bench press | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 ft 0+1⁄2 in (1.84 m) |
203 lb (92 kg) |
31+1⁄8 in (0.79 m) |
9+5⁄8 in (0.24 m) |
4.42 s | 1.52 s | 2.58 s | 38.5 in (0.98 m) |
10 ft 4 in (3.15 m) |
16 reps | |||
| All values from NFL Combine/Pro Day[20][21][22] | ||||||||||||
DeJean was selected by the Philadelphia Eagles with the 40th overall pick of the 2024 NFL draft.[23]
DeJean made his first career start in Week 6 of the 2024 season against the Cleveland Browns, at the nickel corner position.[24]
References
edit- ^ Goodwin, Cody (July 15, 2021). "'He's just unbelievable': OABCIG's Cooper DeJean named Iowa High School Male Athlete of the Year". Hawk Central. Retrieved May 21, 2024.
- ^ Vann, Leah (April 12, 2021). "Cooper DeJean, Iowa's everything football player". The Gazette. Retrieved May 21, 2024.
- ^ Rust, Justin (December 10, 2019). "OABCIG's Cooper DeJean flourishes at quarterback". Sioux City Journal. Retrieved May 21, 2024.
- ^ Bock, Sean (January 3, 2021). "Iowa signee Cooper DeJean wins Adidas Player of the Year". 247Sports. Retrieved May 21, 2024.
- ^ Dochterman, Scott (November 14, 2022). "Cooper DeJean, a small-town success story, stepping up for Iowa". The Athletic. Retrieved November 16, 2022.
- ^ Dochterman, Scott (May 20, 2021). "Cooper DeJean, an unassuming superstar, brings versatile talent, championship legacy with him to Iowa". The New York Times. Retrieved May 21, 2024.
- ^ Iowa High School Athletic Association (November 22, 2023). "Basketball Record Book, 2023 edition" (PDF).
- ^ James, Zach (March 18, 2020). "Defensive back Dejean picks Iowa". The Courier. Retrieved May 21, 2024.
- ^ Bain, Matthew (March 17, 2020). "OABCIG star athlete Cooper DeJean commits to Iowa Hawkeyes". Hawk Central. Retrieved May 21, 2024.
- ^ Smith III, Kennington Lloyd (April 13, 2022). "Cooper DeJean is just way too versatile to keep off the field. What's his 2022 outlook at Iowa?". Hawk Central. Retrieved May 21, 2024.
- ^ Hlas, Mike (September 25, 2022). "Cooper DeJean, sudden standout on star-studded Hawkeye defense". The Gazette. Retrieved May 21, 2024.
- ^ Steppe, John (August 25, 2022). "Cooper DeJean 'keeps on rising' in Iowa secondary". The Gazette. Retrieved May 21, 2024.
- ^ Steppe, John (November 12, 2022). "Cooper DeJean's big plays power Iowa past Wisconsin". The Gazette. Retrieved May 21, 2024.
- ^ Helmer, Josh (November 30, 2023). "Cooper DeJean one of three finalists for Jim Thorpe Award". Hawkeyes Wire. USA Today. Retrieved May 21, 2024.
- ^ Dochterman, Scott (January 4, 2024). "All-America Iowa DB Cooper DeJean declares for NFL Draft". The Athletic. Retrieved January 22, 2024.
- ^ Leistikow, Chad (October 23, 2023). "Big Ten, NCAA explain why punt return by Iowa football's Cooper DeJean was overturned". Hawk Central. Retrieved January 22, 2024.
- ^ Tachman, Tyler (November 15, 2023). "Iowa football star Cooper DeJean out for remainder of 2023 season with lower leg injury". Hawk Central. Retrieved May 21, 2024.
- ^ Steppe, John (January 4, 2024). "Iowa football star Cooper DeJean declares for 2024 NFL Draft". The Gazette. Retrieved January 6, 2024.
- ^ Selvig, Dave (December 20, 2023). "Hawkeyes: Iowa All-American DeJean will not rush decision to stay or enter draft". The Quad-City Times. Retrieved January 22, 2024.
- ^ "Cooper DeJean Draft and Combine Prospect Profile". NFL.com. Retrieved March 25, 2024.
- ^ "2024 NFL Draft Scout Cooper DeJean College Football Profile". DraftScout.com. Retrieved March 25, 2024.
- ^ "Hawkeye Football on X". Twitter.com. Retrieved April 16, 2024.
- ^ Williams, Charean (April 27, 2024). "Eagles move up to 40th overall to select Iowa CB Cooper DeJean". NBC Sports. Retrieved May 21, 2024.
- ^ Spandaro, Dave (October 14, 2024). "Spadaro: The time is now for rookies Quinyon Mitchell, Cooper DeJean". Philadelphia Eagles. Retrieved October 15, 2024.