Cooper DeJean (CB)

Measurements:

Height: 6’0 4/8”

Weight: 203 pounds

Classification: Junior

School: Iowa

Testing Numbers:

Arm: 31 1/8”

Hand: 9 5/8”

40: N/ A

Broad: N/A

Vert: N/A

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Prospect Background:

I cannot lie when I say how impressive this young mans athletic ability truly is. DeJean began playing football in the third grade, but to no surprise he believed basketball was his ticket out of Odebolt, Iowa.

If you watch the young man’s high school mixtape you’ll see that it’s no question that he can jump out the gym. DeJean scored over 2,000 points and averaged 25.6 points per game as a senior which ranked ninth best in the state.

Yet he also found a way to be ultra successful in the track & field area as well. He became a Class 2A long jump (23-7.5) and 100 meter dash (11.16) state champion as a senior, while also placing second in the 200 meter (22.12) and running a leg in the 400 meter race.

However, DeJean could not deny what football meant to him.

“Just something about it being a team sport,” DeJean said. “I don’t know, I just find football more fun than all the other things that I do.”

On the gridiron, DeJean was a Jack of all trades; QB, WR, and DB. The young man holds school records in career passing yards, passing TDs, receptions in a game, receptions total yards, touchdowns in a single season, and most career touchdowns.

Yet the defensive side of the ball became his home as he arrived as Iowa, where he would became a valuable special teams player and a unanimous All America.

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Stats:

• Freshman
  • Coverage Snaps: 8
  • Targets: 2
  • Receptions Allowed: 1
  • Yards Allowed: 24
  • TDs Allowed: 0

• Sophomore
  • Coverage Snaps: 445
  • Targets: 72
  • Receptions Allowed: 37
  • Yards Allowed: 422
  • TDs Allowed: 2

• Junior
  • Coverage Snaps: 388
  • Targets: 46
  • Receptions Allowed: 20
  • Yards Allowed: 194
  • TDs Allowed: 0

Alignments/Number of Snaps:

• Nickel
  • 2021: 0
  • 2022: 140
  • 2023: 23

• Outside Cornerback
  • 2021: 9
  • 2022: 553
  • 2023: 630

• Box
  • 2021: 2
  • 2022: 91
  • 2023: 23

• Safety
  • 2021: 0
  • 2022: 0
  • 2023: 1

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Prospect Overview:

Cooper DeJean is a perfect example of what scouting is all about. It’s so easy to put him in a box; ‘this guy is better off playing safety’, ;this a very scheme specific player,’ or ‘he doesn’t have enough reps in press man to be considered among the top in this class.’

All of which could be true to an extent, but I feel as if some truly fail to value to quality of reps that DeJean has put on tape. It’s no secret that he’s a predominantly zone cornerback, but what’s not mentioned is the fact that if you actually made a pure zone cornerback in a lab, Cooper DeJean is what you would create based on skillset.

DeJean understands where his area of the field is and how much space he has to work with. He’s what I like to refer to as an eye player: is best when his eyes are on the quarterback. He does a great job of diagnosing plays and understanding what will happen, it’s almost like he sees the game from the QBs view point — which makes sense given his history of playing QB.

He has an intense level break on the ball ability in the short area and is a phenomenal athlete.

I genuinely wish he had the opportunity to test in order to put this on display, but his straight line speed and ability to gain ground in the air are fun to watch. He has a rep vs. Marvin Harrison Jr. where he launched in the air to deflect a pass in the end zone off pure vert.

You’ll appreciate him in run defense, as he has been used in multiple alignments where he makes an impact on the ball carrier and maybe even in the backfield. He has some great ball skills man. DeJean is just one of those always in the right spot players.

There are concerns with his change of direction ability. He may have issues on two way go routes and with shiftier receivers. DeJean is a physical player at the top of routes when he can be but can also have his leverage manipulated when changing eyes from WR to QB.

DeJean will impact the game in numerous ways which will ultimately be the reason he has a long career. He makes a difference on/with the football, is coachable, and is well nuanced in his game.

Cover Image Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports