Cooper DeJean is one of the proven stars for the Iowa Hawkeyes. It’s why he was chosen as the preseason Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year by the league’s media in the annual cleveland.com poll.
DeJean edged out Illinois defensive tackle Jer’Zhan “Johnny” Newton for the top preseason slot. The Odebolt, Iowa, native also earned more votes than a number of talented defensive playmakers from powerhouses like Ohio State, Penn State and Michigan.
Buckeyes linebacker Tommy Eichenberg, defensive end J.T. Tuimoloau and cornerback Denzel Burke were among the top-10 vote-getters. Nittany Lions defensive back Kalen King, linebacker Abdul Carter and defensive end Chop Robinson were there, too. Michigan linebacker Junior Colson was inside the top 10 as well.
None of them matched DeJean.
And for good reason. The 6-foot-1, 207 pound defensive back was sensational for the Hawkeyes in 2022. DeJean racked up five interceptions, three of which he turned into touchdowns. Those three trips off interceptions to paydirt were a single-season Iowa record. He also tallied 75 tackles, which ranked third among Hawkeye defenders.
DeJean is an obvious captain’s choice for Iowa and will be one of the Hawkeyes’ best players. With that pedigree, it can only help Iowa that he enters this season genuinely aiming for individual improvement.
DeJean discussed what that would look like with Big Ten Network’s Howard Griffith.
Cooper DeJean was really good in 2022.
The preseason B1G DPOY is determined to be better this fall. 😱
He tells @HowardGriffith how he hopes to make it happen. @cdejean23 x @HawkeyeFootball pic.twitter.com/qLEhRs5jnj
— Big Ten Football (@B1Gfootball) August 18, 2023
“I mean, I’m just trying to be better than I was last year, a year ago. You know, some things that I have to work on that I thought I could’ve done better  last year. And then, just trying to fit in this defense wherever I can to help our defense be as successful as possible,” DeJean told Griffith.
In particular, DeJean is zeroing in on improving his press man coverage.
“Yeah, I feel like last year something that I wasn’t too happy with was the way my press man defense (was). That’s what I’ve been working on a lot this offseason. And you’ve got the older guys in the room along with coach (Phil) Parker that have helped me with that along with many other things. So, it’s been fun to learn from them and continue to grow,” DeJean said.
Again, it’s fantastic that one of Iowa’s best players is one of their most humble. Just about everywhere you look, you’ll see analysts and draft experts singing DeJean’s praises.
ESPN recently featured DeJean as its No. 46 player in college football. He’s also regarded as a top-five cornerback in the upcoming 2024 NFL draft by Pro Football Focus.
In less than two weeks time, the nation will get another glimpse at DeJean roaming the Hawkeyes’ defensive backfield when Iowa boots off its season against Utah State at 11 a.m. on FS1 from inside Kinnick Stadium.
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