Iowa football will always be associated with a few positions. You know that quality tight ends and offensive linemen come from the great state of Iowa donning the black and gold. Not enough people talk about the Hawkeyes’ history with defensive backs, though.
In recent years, Iowa has sent multiple defensive backs to the NFL, usually as pretty high draft picks. Just recently we saw cornerback Riley Moss go in the third round to the Denver Broncos in this past draft. Now, Iowa looks to have another great corner.
Cooper DeJean has received a lot of buzz heading into 2023 following his stellar sophomore year. DeJean led the Hawkeyes’ defense with five interceptions, earning first-team All-Big Ten honors last season from the league’s media. Expectations are even higher for 2023.
Raymond Lucas Jr. of 247Sports recently listed DeJean as a top candidate to be the Defensive Player of the Year in the Big Ten.
Iowa had one of last season’s best defenses. The Hawkeyes should be better on the offensive side of the ball and its defense should produce more of the same dominance, especially after retaining cornerback Cooper DeJean. He intercepted five passes in 2022 and returned three of which for touchdowns, which was a single-season program record. DeJean likely enters his final season playing college football and he could solidify his status as a first-rounder with a dominant junior campaign.” – Lucas Jr., 247Sports.
That’s right, folks. If you thought the discourse around Riley Moss was something last year, wait until Cooper DeJean gets the first round talk. If he has the year many are expecting, he should firmly be in first round contention.
Athlon Sports has already jumped on board, projecting DeJean to land with the Detroit Lions at pick No. 24 in their recent 2024 NFL mock draft. Touchdown Wire also forecasts DeJean as an early 2024 first-rounder to the Minnesota Vikings with pick No. 18.
DeJean finished the 2022 season with 75 tackles, 13 passes defensed and five interceptions, three of which he took back for touchdowns. He was also sensational on special teams, returning 10 punts for 165 yards and working as a gunner as well.
DeJean will headline a defensive backfield that features fellow starting corner Jermari Harris, safeties Xavier Nwankpa and Quinn Schulte and CASH Sebastian Castro.
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