50 Facts About Cooper Dejean

Early Life and High School Achievements

Cooper DeJean's journey to the NFL began in a small town in Iowa. His early years were marked by impressive athletic feats across multiple sports.

1. Birth and Early Life: Cooper DeJean was born on February 9, 2003, in Odebolt, Iowa.
2. High School Career: DeJean attended OA-BCIG, a consolidated school in Ida Grove, Iowa. He played quarterback and defensive back in high school.
3. High School Records: DeJean holds numerous school records, including passing for 3,447 yards with 35 touchdowns and rushing for 1,235 yards with 24 touchdowns as a senior.
4. All-American Bowl: In 2021, DeJean was named the adidas Player of the Year at the All-American Bowl.
5. Multi-Sport Athlete: DeJean played basketball, baseball, and ran track in high school. He is particularly notable for his basketball career, ranking 55th on the state’s all-time scoring list.
6. Basketball Achievements: DeJean’s 1,832 career points in basketball rank him behind Iowa and NFL tight end T.J. Hockenson and ahead of first-team Parade All-American and NBA player Harrison Barnes.
7. Basketball Steals: His 218 steals in basketball rank him eighth on the state’s all-time list, ahead of McDonald's All-American Marcus Paige.
8. Track and Field: DeJean had the fastest 100-yard dash of any runner in the state during his senior year and held the sixth-best long jump in state history (24-02) at the time of his graduation.
9. Limited College Offers: Despite his athletic record and four-star status, DeJean had limited college offers coming out of high school.
10. College Choice: He chose to play defense at Iowa over playing quarterback at South Dakota State.

College Football Career

DeJean's college career at Iowa showcased his versatility and skill, making him a standout player.

11. College Football Debut: As a true freshman at Iowa in 2021, DeJean played in seven games, mostly on special teams, and had four tackles.
12. Sophomore Year: DeJean became a starter his sophomore year in 2022, playing cornerback, cash (a hybrid linebacker/safety position), and punt returner for the Hawkeyes.
13. Preseason Safety: In the preseason, DeJean also played safety.
14. 2022 Season Highlights: Against Wisconsin, DeJean made several notable plays, showcasing his versatility and skill.
15. 2023 Season Highlights: In 2023, DeJean continued his productive play, adding 41 tackles, two tackles for loss, two interceptions, and five pass deflections to his career totals.
16. All-Big Ten Recognition: His impressive performance earned him first-team All-Big Ten recognition in 2023.

NFL Draft and Physical Attributes

DeJean's transition to the NFL was marked by his selection in the 2024 draft and his impressive physical stats.

17. NFL Draft Selection: DeJean was selected by the Philadelphia Eagles with the 40th overall pick of the 2024 NFL draft.
18. Height and Weight: He stands at 6 feet 0.5 inches (1.84 m) and weighs 203 pounds (92 kg).
19. Arm Length and Hand Span: DeJean has an arm length of 31.125 inches (0.79 m) and a hand span of 9.625 inches (0.24 m).
20. 40-Yard Dash Time: His 40-yard dash time is 4.42 seconds.
21. 10-Yard Split Time: The 10-yard split time is 1.52 seconds.
22. 20-Yard Split Time: The 20-yard split time is 2.58 seconds.
23. Vertical Jump: DeJean’s vertical jump is 38.5 inches (0.98 m).
24. Broad Jump: His broad jump is 10 feet 4 inches (3.15 m).
25. Bench Press: He can bench press 16 reps.

Versatility and Playmaking Ability

DeJean's versatility on the field has been a key factor in his success, both in college and now in the NFL.

26. Versatility: DeJean is known for his versatility, having played cornerback, safety, and punt returner in college.
27. Punt Return Specialist: He was one of the best punt returners in the country, averaging 13.1 yards per punt return with a touchdown.
28. Pick-6s: DeJean had three pick-6s at Iowa, showcasing his ability to make game-changing plays.
29. Pass Break-Ups: He was second on the Hawkeyes in pass break-ups (5) in 2023.
30. Interceptions: DeJean was second in interceptions (2) in 2023.
31. Tackles: He was seventh in tackles (41) this season.
32. Physicality: DeJean’s physicality is evident in his ability to squeeze wide receivers against the boundary and shock them with physical extensions.
33. Run Support: He is a strong, disciplined run support defensive back who can be a mismatch on wide receiver blocks.
34. Offensive Experience: In 2023, DeJean got a taste of playing on offense, getting four total snaps, including two in the backfield and two in the slot.
35. End-Around Play: His only offense touch was an eight-yard pickup on an end-around in a 10-7 win over Northwestern in November.

Praise and Recognition

Coaches and analysts have recognized DeJean's talent and potential, highlighting his dynamic playmaking abilities.

36. Coach Kirk Ferentz’s Praise: Hawkeyes head coach Kirk Ferentz praised DeJean, saying he was prepared to play him on offense next year and that he had play-making ability.
37. Dynamic Playmaker: Ferentz noted that DeJean was extremely dynamic with the ball in his hands, which made him a versatile player.
38. Relative Athletic Score (RAS): DeJean’s RAS puts him just outside the 99th percentile among all cornerbacks since 1987, indicating his exceptional athleticism.
39. CBS Sports’ Ryan Wilson’s Analysis: CBS Sports’ Ryan Wilson described DeJean as an extremely physical cornerback at the catch point with big size and great speed.
40. Smooth Hip Flipping: DeJean is very smooth when flipping his hips and staying in phase on vertical routes.
41. Impact on the Return Game: He adds something significant in the return game, making him a valuable asset to any team.
42. No Touchdown Passes Allowed: In 388 snaps in coverage in 2023, DeJean did not allow a touchdown pass.

Future Prospects and Potential

DeJean's future in the NFL looks promising, with his versatility and athleticism making him a valuable player for the Philadelphia Eagles.

43. Team’s Versatility: The Eagles say that out of their nine picks, five of them were what they considered “Red Star players,” who embody what it means to be an Eagle, and DeJean is likely one of them.
44. Chip on Their Shoulder: Howie Roseman mentioned adding players this offseason who have a proverbial chip on their shoulder, and DeJean fits this description despite his wildly successful high school career.
45. First-Class Person and Player: Ferentz described DeJean as a first-class person and an outstanding football player.
46. Potential NFL Positions: DeJean feels like he has the size and speed to play outside cornerback in the NFL but also understands he can play multiple positions.
47. Athleticism: He believes he has the athleticism to play any position in the back end, which is a testament to his versatility.
48. Great Ball Skills: Iowa defensive coordinator Phil Parker praised DeJean’s great ball skills, noting that some catches he makes during practice are freakish.
49. Maturity and Work Ethic: Parker also highlighted DeJean’s maturity and work ethic, saying he is always in the film room or working hard.
50. Exciting Prospect: DeJean has emerged as one of the most exciting Hawkeyes in the Kirk Ferentz era, and his selection by the Philadelphia Eagles in the 2024 NFL draft has generated significant excitement among fans and analysts alike.

Cooper DeJean: A Rising Star in Football

Cooper DeJean's journey from a small-town athlete in Odebolt, Iowa, to a professional football cornerback for the Philadelphia Eagles is nothing short of inspiring. His high school records, multi-sport achievements, and versatility on the field highlight his exceptional talent. At Iowa, DeJean's ability to play multiple positions and make game-changing plays earned him first-team All-Big Ten recognition. Selected 40th overall in the 2024 NFL draft, his athleticism, physicality, and football IQ make him a valuable asset to the Eagles. DeJean's story is a testament to hard work, dedication, and the ability to excel in various roles. As he continues to develop in the NFL, fans and analysts alike are excited to see what the future holds for this dynamic player. Cooper DeJean is undoubtedly a rising star in the world of football.