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Iowa star defensive back and return specialist Cooper DeJean declared for the 2024 NFL Draft Thursday, bringing to an end a three-year stint with the Hawkeyes. The 2023 unanimous All American is projected as a first-round pick, No. 22 overall and fourth at his position in CBS Sports’ 2024 NFL Draft prospect rankings.
“These past three years have been filled with memories that will last a lifetime,” the Sioux Falls, South Dakota native wrote in a social media post. “Putting on the black and gold and playing in Kinnick Stadium has been a dream of mine since I was a little kid, and it has been everything I expected and more.”
During his time at Iowa, DeJean posted 120 tackles (88 solo), 13 pass breakups, seven interceptions and three touchdowns on defense. He also added 426 return yards and a touchdown as a returner on special teams. He was a first-team All-Big Ten selection each of the past two seasons. DeJean peaked on defense in 2022, when he registered 75 total tackles, eight PBUs, five interceptions and three touchdowns.
Although DeJean’s 2023 season came to an early end when he sustained a broken leg in mid-November. it was DeJean’s most productive on special teams. He logged 241 yards and a touchdown on punt returns. That came on top of 41 total tackles, five PBUs and a pair of interceptions on defense as the Hawkeyes won 10 games while also capturing its second Big Ten West Division title for the second time in a span of three seasons.
DeJean’s draft stock
All signs point to DeJean making a mark early in his professional career thanks to the his versatility he displayed at Iowa. Wherever he lands, the 6-foot-1, 207-pound playmaker has a chance to impact both defense and special teams. CBS Sports’ Josh Edwards projected…
Source link : https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/news/2024-nfl-draft-iowa-db-cooper-dejean-declares-as-projected-first-round-pick/
Author : Dean Straka
Publish date : 2024-01-05 00:53:25
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