IOWA CITY, Iowa– The NFL Draft is quickly approaching and Iowa defensive back Cooper DeJean is a projected first round pick. The all-around playmaker boosted his stock during a private workout. He posted a 4.43 in the 40-yard dash, a vertical of 38.5-inch vertical and a 10-foot-4-inch broad jump. He measured in at 6-foot and 203 pounds with 31 1/8-inch arms.
His Relative Athletic Score (RAS), his measurements and testing numbers put him just outside the 99th percentile among all cornerbacks since 1987. CBS Sports’ Ryan Wilson believes that the Philadelphia Eagles will select DeJean at No. 22.
“Cooper DeJean is an extremely physical cornerback at the catch point who has big size and great speed,” Wilson wrote. “He can run with any wide receiver and is very smooth when flipping his hips and staying in phase on vertical routes. He also adds something in the return game.
He finished the season with 41 tackles, two TFL, two interceptions and five pass break-ups in 10 games. DeJean did not allow a touchdown pass in 388 snaps in coverage in 2023. He was second on the Hawkeyes in pass break-ups (5), is second in interceptions (2) and seventh in tackles (41) this season.
DeJean’s versatility is what sets him apart. He was also one of the most dynamic returners in the country. Iowa also explored the possibility of playing him on offense at times throughout the season.
There has been a lot of debate about what position DeJean could possibly play at the next level. He has the size and athleticism to be effective at any position. He also believes that he has the potential to play outside corner.
“I feel like I have the size and speed to do that,” DeJean added. “I also understand that I can play multiple positions. I feel like I have the athleticism to play any position in the back end. It’s football, and I love to play football. So you put me on the field, I’m going to play football wherever I am.”DeJean will not be at the NFL Draft. He told local reporters a few weeks ago that he wanted to remain in his hometown with his family rather than be at the event.
“It’s been crazy to be honest,” DeJean said. “You ask me four years ago if I’d be here, I would think you were out of your mind. It’s a lot of hard work that’s been put in, just learning and putting my head down and trying to be the best version of myself each and everyday coming into this building. It’s been a wild journey but it’s been a lot of fun.”
