The 2024 NFL Draft has one of the most versatile cornerbacks to come out in recent years in Cooper DeJean. Here is everything to know about the prospect out of Iowa.
How Tall Is Cooper DeJean?
DeJean stands at 6’0″. He is an explosive, gliding athlete with zone awareness, route IQ, and reaction quickness.
With disciplined technique, size, and short-area mobility, he can play the slot or boundary.
How Much Does DeJean Weigh?
DeJean weighs 209 pounds. His relatively sleek frame makes him ideal for zone and off-man schemes, boasting strong space management and quick reactions.
He possesses rare mass and frame density for a DB and has decent length along with it.
How Old Is DeJean?
DeJean was born on Feb. 9, 2003, and is 21 years old. DeJean attended OABCIG High School, a consolidated school in Ida Grove, Iowa.
What School Did DeJean Go To?
DeJean played quarterback and defensive back in high school and holds numerous school records. 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.
Despite his athletic record and four-star status, DeJean had limited offers coming out of high school. He chose to play defense at Iowa over playing quarterback at South Dakota State.
Revisiting DeJean’s College Career
As a true freshman at Iowa in 2021, DeJean played in seven games, mostly on special teams, and had four tackles. He became a starter in his sophomore year in 2022.
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.
DeJean was named the MVP of the 2022 Music City Bowl after recording seven tackles, a 14-yard interception return for a touchdown, and returning three punts for 42 yards.
During the 2023 season, DeJean was crucial to Iowa’s success. He registered three interceptions and allowed only 22 receptions and no touchdowns during the season. 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 have resulted in an Iowa lead.
MORE: Top CBs in the 2024 NFL Draft
DeJean suffered a leg injury in mid-November and missed the remainder of the season. He was named a 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.
DeJean’s Potential in the NFL
Pro Football Network draft analyst Ian Cummings graded DeJean as a top-25 prospect in the 2024 NFL Draft.
“With some players, you hear that they’re meant for the NFL from the very start. DeJean is one of those players,” Cummings wrote. ” … DeJean is an explosive, gliding athlete with stellar space management skills, zone awareness, route IQ, and reaction quickness. Beyond those intrinsic traits, he also has the rapid closing speed to trigger and wash in front of ill-fated throws.”
KEEP READING: Ian Cummings’ Full Scouting Report of Cooper DeJean
According to Cummings, some of DeJean’s strengths include having exceptional corrective twitch and recovery athleticism while showcasing a great initial burst when triggering on plays and veering to match WRs.
His weaknesses include sometimes losing balance when sinking to match whip and out routes and his muscle-bound frame preventing him from fully sinking and redirecting at times.
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