Cooper DeJean might be the best Iowa has seen in a long time. He might be the best in the Big Ten. He might be the best in the nation. His stats are hard to deny and the numbers don’t lie. Cooper DeJean doesn’t allow success when thrown at.
After a 2022 season that saw DeJean intercept five passes, three of which he returned for touchdowns, teams are much more wary of testing the Iowa cornerback. Little good can come from throwing the ball his way and it has been hugely important for the Iowa defense having a lockdown corner on one side of the field.
DeJean isn’t just a lockdown cornerback, he is lights out. He doesn’t allow the big play and he stymies any attempt at it. He is so shut down that he owns the longest streak of most coverage snaps without allowing a touchdown. It has been 205 snaps since Cooper DeJean allowed a touchdown in coverage.
Don’t test Cooper DeJean🔒 pic.twitter.com/KzIrllqkos
— PFF College (@PFF_College) October 5, 2023
On the season, DeJean has tallied 30 tackles, one pass breakup and one interception. In his career, he touts 109 tackles, nine pass breakups and six interceptions.
DeJean’s stats so far in 2023 are down a little bit from last year, but that isn’t necessarily a bad thing. His interception totals and pass breakups are lower simply due to the sheer reduction in opportunities he is given. Teams avoid DeJean like the plague and don’t want to risk any mishaps in his direction as it has been proven it can be six the other way in a hurry.
Plus, he’s a menace on special teams, evidenced by his game-winning, 70-yard punt return touchdown last week to topple Michigan State, 26-16.
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