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Cooper DeJean

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Cooper DeJean
refer to caption
DeJean with the Eagles in 2024
No. 33 – Philadelphia Eagles
Position:Cornerback
Punt returner
Personal information
Born: (2003-02-09) February 9, 2003 (age 22)
Sioux Falls, South Dakota, U.S.
Height:6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Weight:198 lb (90 kg)
Career information
High school:OABCIG (Ida Grove, Iowa)
College:Iowa (2021–2023)
NFL draft:2024 / round: 2 / pick: 40
Career history
Roster status:Active
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics as of Week 18, 2024
Total tackles:51
Sacks:0.5
Forced fumbles:1
Fumble recoveries:3
Pass deflections:6
Return yards:211
Stats at Pro Football Reference

Cooper Michael DeJean (born February 9, 2003) is an American professional football cornerback and punt returner for the Philadelphia Eagles of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Iowa Hawkeyes, receiving unanimous All-American honors in 2023. Selected by the Eagles in the second round of the 2024 NFL draft, DeJean helped the team reach Super Bowl LIX as a rookie, where he returned his first career interception for a touchdown in the win.

Early life

DeJean grew up in Odebolt, Iowa, a farming town of approximately 920 people, and attended OA-BCIG, a consolidated school in Ida Grove, Iowa.[1] He played quarterback and defensive back in high school, and holds numerous school records.[2][3] 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.[4]

In the 2020 Iowa state championship game, DeJean made several impactful plays, as OABCIG defeated Van Meter. Within a two minute span, he blocked an extra point, scored the game-tying touchdown on a 4-yard run, and, following a Van Meter fumble on the ensuing kickoff, scored the go-ahead touchdown on a 19-yard run that the Des Moines Register compared to Bo Jackson in Tecmo Bowl.[5] The game was broadcast in local movie theaters and establishments across the five rural towns that feed into OABCIG High School.[6][7]

DeJean also played basketball, baseball and ran track in high school.[8] In basketball, his 1,832 career points rank him behind Iowa and NFL tight end T.J. Hockenson, and 55 points ahead of first-team Parade All-American and NBA player Harrison Barnes on the state’s all-time scoring list. His 218 steals ranks him on the state's all-time list, eight ahead of McDonald's All-American Marcus Paige.[9]

In track and field, DeJean had the fastest 100 meters of any runner in the state during his senior year, and at the time of his high school graduation, held the sixth best long jump in state history (24-02).

Despite his athletic achievements and four-star recruit status, DeJean had limited scholarship offers coming out of high school. He would choose playing defense at Iowa over playing quarterback at South Dakota State.[10][11]

College career

As a true freshman at Iowa in 2021, DeJean played in seven games, mostly on special teams, and had four tackles.[12] He became a starter his sophomore year in 2022.[13][14] DeJean played cornerback, cash (a hybrid linebacker/safety position),[15] 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. Through three quarters, DeJean was outgaining the Hawkeye offense.[16] DeJean was named the MVP of the 2022 Music City Bowl after recording 7 tackles, a 14-yard interception return for a touchdown, and returning three punts for 42 yards.

During the 2023 season, DeJean once again was a crucial part of Iowa's success. The Hawkeyes had a historically poor offense, but special teams and defense kept them in, and won them games. DeJean was not targeted as much, but registered three interceptions. He allowed only 22 receptions and no touchdowns during the season.[17] 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.[18] The referee's call of an invalid fair catch caused considerable controversy and prompted an explanatory conference call involving Big Ten and NCAA officiating personnel.[19] DeJean suffered a leg injury in mid-November and missed the remainder of the season.[20] He was named 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.[21] After the season, Iowa defensive coordinator and defensive backs coach Phil Parker remarked "I didn't see Nile Kinnick play, but he might be the modern day Nile Kinnick."[22]

College statistics

Year Team Games Tackles Fumbles Interceptions Punt Returns
GP GS Cmb Solo Ast Sck FF FR Yds TD Int Yds TD PD Ret Yds Avg TD
2021 Iowa 7 0 4 3 1 0.0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 — — — —
2022 Iowa 13 13 75 56 19 0.0 0 0 0 0 5 91 3 8 10 165 16.5 0
2023 Iowa 10 10 41 26 15 0.0 0 0 0 0 2 41 0 5 21 241 11.5 1
Career 30 23 120 85 35 0.0 0 0 0 0 7 132 3 13 31 406 13.1 1

Professional career

Pre-draft measurables
Height Weight Arm length Hand span 40-yard dash 10-yard split 20-yard split Vertical jump Broad jump Bench press
6 ft 0+1⁄2 in
(1.84 m) 		203 lb
(92 kg) 		31+1⁄8 in
(0.79 m) 		9+5⁄8 in
(0.24 m)		 4.42 s 1.52 s 2.58 s 38.5 in
(0.98 m)		 10 ft 4 in
(3.15 m)		 16 reps
All values from NFL Combine/Pro Day[23][24][25]

DeJean was selected by the Philadelphia Eagles with the 40th overall pick of the 2024 NFL draft.[26]

DeJean made his first career start in Week 6 of the 2024 season against the Cleveland Browns, at the nickelback position.[27]

On his 22nd birthday, DeJean recorded his first career interception in the second quarter of Super Bowl LIX off quarterback Patrick Mahomes, and returned it for a 38-yard touchdown, as the Eagles defeated the Kansas City Chiefs 40–22 to capture the Super Bowl championship, their second in franchise history.[28] DeJean became the first player since fellow Eagle Steve Van Buren in 1947 to score a touchdown in a championship game on his birthday.[29]

NFL career statistics

Legend
Won the Super Bowl

Regular season

Year Team Games Tackles Interceptions Fumbles
GP GS Comb Solo Ast Sck PD Int Yds Avg Lng TD FF FR Yds TD
2024 PHI 16 9 51 38 13 0.5 6 0 0 0.0 0 0 1 3 0 0
Career 16 9 51 38 13 0.5 6 0 0 0.0 0 0 1 3 0 0

Postseason

Year Team Games Tackles Interceptions Fumbles
GP GS Comb Solo Ast Sck PD Int Yds Avg Lng TD FF FR Yds TD
2024 PHI 4 4 18 12 6 0.0 4 1 38 38.0 38T 1 0 1 0 0
Career 4 4 18 12 6 0.0 4 1 38 30.0 38T 1 0 1 0 0

Personal life

DeJean is the son of Jason and Katie DeJean.[30] DeJean is a Christian.[31]

References

  1. ^ Martin, Jeff (February 9, 2025). "In Iowa's farm country, small towns rally around a native son in football's biggest game". Associated Press. Retrieved February 10, 2025.
  2. ^ Vann, Leah (April 12, 2021). "Cooper DeJean, Iowa's everything football player". The Gazette. Retrieved May 21, 2024.
  3. ^ Rust, Justin (December 10, 2019). "OABCIG's Cooper DeJean flourishes at quarterback". Sioux City Journal. Retrieved May 21, 2024.
  4. ^ Bock, Sean (January 3, 2021). "Iowa signee Cooper DeJean wins Adidas Player of the Year". 247Sports. Retrieved May 21, 2024.
  5. ^ Goodwin, Cody (November 20, 2020). "State football: Cooper DeJean leads OABCIG to thrilling win over Van Meter in Class 1A title game". The Des Moines Register. Retrieved February 10, 2025.
  6. ^ Dochterman, Scott (November 14, 2022). "Cooper DeJean, a small-town success story, stepping up for Iowa". The Athletic. Retrieved November 16, 2022.
  7. ^ Breen, Matt (January 10, 2025). "Cooper DeJean's last playoff win made him a 'folk hero' in his tiny hometown". Inquirer.com. Retrieved February 10, 2025.
  8. ^ Dochterman, Scott (May 20, 2021). "Cooper DeJean, an unassuming superstar, brings versatile talent, championship legacy with him to Iowa". The New York Times. Retrieved May 21, 2024.
  9. ^ Iowa High School Athletic Association (November 22, 2023). "Basketball Record Book, 2023 edition" (PDF).
  10. ^ James, Zach (March 18, 2020). "Defensive back Dejean picks Iowa". The Courier. Retrieved May 21, 2024.
  11. ^ Bain, Matthew (March 17, 2020). "OABCIG star athlete Cooper DeJean commits to Iowa Hawkeyes". Hawk Central. Retrieved May 21, 2024.
  12. ^ Smith III, Kennington Lloyd (April 13, 2022). "Cooper DeJean is just way too versatile to keep off the field. What's his 2022 outlook at Iowa?". Hawk Central. Retrieved May 21, 2024.
  13. ^ Hlas, Mike (September 25, 2022). "Cooper DeJean, sudden standout on star-studded Hawkeye defense". The Gazette. Retrieved May 21, 2024.
  14. ^ Steppe, John (August 25, 2022). "Cooper DeJean 'keeps on rising' in Iowa secondary". The Gazette. Retrieved May 21, 2024.
  15. ^ Brockish, Ericka (August 21, 2024). "What is the CASH position? How Iowa football made the new defensive position famous". Dear Old Gold. Retrieved February 11, 2025.
  16. ^ Steppe, John (November 12, 2022). "Cooper DeJean's big plays power Iowa past Wisconsin". The Gazette. Retrieved May 21, 2024.
  17. ^ Helmer, Josh (November 30, 2023). "Cooper DeJean one of three finalists for Jim Thorpe Award". Hawkeyes Wire. USA Today. Retrieved May 21, 2024.
  18. ^ Dochterman, Scott (January 4, 2024). "All-America Iowa DB Cooper DeJean declares for NFL Draft". The Athletic. Retrieved January 22, 2024.
  19. ^ Leistikow, Chad (October 23, 2023). "Big Ten, NCAA explain why punt return by Iowa football's Cooper DeJean was overturned". Hawk Central. Retrieved January 22, 2024.
  20. ^ Tachman, Tyler (November 15, 2023). "Iowa football star Cooper DeJean out for remainder of 2023 season with lower leg injury". Hawk Central. Retrieved May 21, 2024.
  21. ^ Steppe, John (January 4, 2024). "Iowa football star Cooper DeJean declares for 2024 NFL Draft". The Gazette. Retrieved January 6, 2024.
  22. ^ Selvig, Dave (December 20, 2023). "Hawkeyes: Iowa All-American DeJean will not rush decision to stay or enter draft". The Quad-City Times. Retrieved January 22, 2024.
  23. ^ Reuter, Chad; Zierlein, Lance. "Cooper DeJean Draft and Combine Prospect Profile". NFL.com. Retrieved March 25, 2024.
  24. ^ "2024 NFL Draft Scout Cooper DeJean College Football Profile". DraftScout.com. Retrieved March 25, 2024.
  25. ^ "Hawkeye Football on X". Twitter.com. Retrieved April 16, 2024.
  26. ^ Williams, Charean (April 27, 2024). "Eagles move up to 40th overall to select Iowa CB Cooper DeJean". NBC Sports. Retrieved May 21, 2024.
  27. ^ Spandaro, Dave (October 14, 2024). "Spadaro: The time is now for rookies Quinyon Mitchell, Cooper DeJean". Philadelphia Eagles. Retrieved October 15, 2024.
  28. ^ Alper, Josh (February 9, 2025). "Eagles up 17-0 after Cooper DeJean pick-six". NBC Sports. NBCUniversial. Retrieved February 10, 2025.
  29. ^ Sullivan, Tyler (February 10, 2025). "Eagles win 2025 Super Bowl: Cooper DeJean reacts to 'crazy' first career interception on his birthday". CBSSports.com. Retrieved February 11, 2025.
  30. ^ "COOPER DEJEAN". Retrieved February 10, 2025.
  31. ^ Ackerman, Jon (February 7, 2025). "Faith-filled Eagles rookies 'speak out about His glory' on Super Bowl stage". Sports Spectrum. Retrieved February 10, 2025.
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