Cooper DeJean Bio
Cooper Michael DeJean (born February 9, 2003) is an American professional football cornerback for the Philadelphia Eagles of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Iowa Hawkeyes, where he earned unanimous All-American honors in 2023. Selected by the Eagles in the second round of the 2024 NFL draft, DeJean helped the team win Super Bowl LIX as a rookie, returning his first career interception for a touchdown in the victory.
Listed at 6 feet 0 inches and 198 pounds, DeJean has built a reputation as a versatile defensive back with strong coverage skills, reliable tackling, and an impact presence on special teams. In only his first two professional seasons, he has added a Pro Bowl selection, a First-team All-Pro nod, and a Super Bowl championship to his resume.
Early Life and Background
Cooper DeJean was born on February 9, 2003, in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and grew up in Odebolt, Iowa, a small farming town of about 920 residents. He is the son of Jason and Katie DeJean and the eldest of three brothers. His middle brother, Beckett, plays defensive back for the University of South Dakota, while his youngest brother, Jaxx, plays football for OA-BCIG and is a 3-star wide receiver committed to the University of Iowa as part of the 2027 class.
DeJean attended OA-BCIG, a consolidated school in Ida Grove, Iowa, that serves the nearby communities of Odebolt, Arthur, Battle Creek, Sac, and Ida Grove. A true multi-sport athlete, he competed in football, basketball, baseball, and track. On the gridiron, he starred at both quarterback and cornerback, and he also scored more than 1,800 career points on the basketball court while ranking among the state leaders in career steals. As a senior, he recorded the fastest 100-meter time in Iowa and the sixth-best long jump in state history.
Despite earning four-star recruit status, DeJean received limited Division I scholarship offers. He chose to play defense at Iowa rather than line up at quarterback for South Dakota State, setting the stage for a rapid rise in college football.
Path to the NFL
DeJean arrived at Iowa in 2021 and appeared in seven games as a true freshman, contributing mostly on special teams and recording four tackles. By his sophomore season in 2022, he had earned a starting role and showcased his versatility by playing cornerback, the hybrid linebacker-safety position known as cash, and punt returner. In a memorable performance against Wisconsin, he intercepted a Graham Mertz pass and returned it 32 yards for a touchdown, recorded 10 tackles, forced a fumble, and downed a punt at the one-yard line, all while outgaining the Iowa offense through three quarters.
That same season, DeJean was named MVP of the 2022 Music City Bowl after posting seven tackles, a 14-yard interception return for a touchdown, and three punt returns for 42 yards. He finished the year with three interceptions returned for scores, co-leading the NCAA alongside Emmanuel Forbes.
During the 2023 season, DeJean remained a central piece of an Iowa team that leaned heavily on its defense and special teams. Although he was rarely tested in coverage, allowing just 22 receptions and no touchdowns, he made his mark in the return game with a game-winning 70-yard punt return against Michigan State. He suffered a leg injury in mid-November that ended his college campaign, but he still earned unanimous consensus All-American honors along with the Tatum-Woodson Big Ten Defensive Back of the Year and Rodgers-Dwight Big Ten Return Specialist of the Year awards. He was also a finalist for the Bronko Nagurski Trophy and the Jim Thorpe Award before declaring for the 2024 NFL draft.
Cooper DeJean Career
Early Career (2021–2023)
DeJean’s college arc at Iowa was defined by steady growth and positional flexibility. He entered as a special teams contributor, became a defensive starter in his second year, and reached All-American status in his third, while also serving as one of the Big Ten’s most dynamic return men.
Defensive coordinator Phil Parker compared DeJean’s impact to Iowa legend Nile Kinnick, a rare compliment that reflected the trust DeJean had earned on the field. His three interception returns for touchdowns, two-way production, and award haul positioned him as one of the top defensive backs in the 2024 draft class.
Philadelphia Eagles Breakthrough (2024)
The Philadelphia Eagles selected DeJean with the 40th overall pick in the 2024 NFL draft, adding him to a deep defensive backfield. He worked primarily as a nickelback and on special teams early in the year, then made his first career start in Week 6 against the Cleveland Browns. By season’s end, Pro Football Focus had graded him as the number one corner in the league with an 86.3 mark, and he earned a spot on the PFWA All-Rookie Team.
The defining moment of DeJean’s rookie year came in Super Bowl LIX against the Kansas City Chiefs. In the second quarter, he intercepted Patrick Mahomes and returned the pick 38 yards for a touchdown, becoming the first Eagles player ever to record an interception in a Super Bowl. The Eagles won the game 40-22, and the contest fell on DeJean’s 22nd birthday, making him the first player since teammate Steve Van Buren in 1947 to score a championship-game touchdown on his birthday.
Philadelphia Eagles Era (2024–Present)
DeJean’s second professional campaign in 2025 brought further national recognition. He earned his first Pro Bowl selection and was named First-team All-Pro, reinforcing his standing as one of the league’s premier young cornerbacks. In Week 16 against the Washington Commanders, he posted four tackles, four pass breakups, and an interception in a 29-18 win, earning NFC Defensive Player of the Week honors.
Heading into the heart of the Eagles’ 2025 schedule, DeJean continues to handle a heavy workload in the secondary while contributing in the return game. His combination of athleticism, instincts, and special teams value has made him a cornerstone of Philadelphia’s defensive plans.
Driving Style and Strengths
DeJean excels in zone and match coverage, using his length, route recognition, and closing speed to disrupt throws. He is an aggressive tackler in run support, a precise tackler in space, and a game-changing returner, with the football IQ to line up across the secondary and on special teams without losing effectiveness.
Notable Events and Milestones
DeJean’s interception return for a touchdown in Super Bowl LIX, played on his birthday, stands as his signature professional moment and a franchise first. He also became the first Eagles player ever to record an interception in a Super Bowl, earned PFWA All-Rookie honors in 2024, and was voted 60th on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2025 by his peers.
Cooper DeJean Career Wins
In just two NFL seasons, Cooper DeJean has already built a trophy case that includes a Super Bowl LIX championship, a Pro Bowl selection, a First-team All-Pro honor, and a PFWA All-Rookie Team nod. Each of these accomplishments reflects his immediate impact on the Philadelphia Eagles’ defense and special teams units.
NFL Highlights
DeJean’s marquee win is Super Bowl LIX, where he sealed his place in Philadelphia sports history with a 38-yard interception return for a touchdown against Patrick Mahomes. The 40-22 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs was his first championship as a professional and his first Super Bowl appearance. He followed that rookie triumph with a 2025 Pro Bowl nod and a First-team All-Pro selection, both of which underscored his continued growth as a coverage defender and returner.
Other Wins and Performances
At the college level, DeJean was a unanimous consensus All-American in 2023 and a two-time First-team All-Big Ten selection in 2022 and 2023. He also claimed Big Ten Defensive Back of the Year and Big Ten Return Specialist of the Year honors in 2023, cementing his legacy as one of the most decorated Hawkeyes of his era. Earlier, he was the 2021 All-American Bowl Adidas Player of the Year after leading OABCIG to a state championship in 2020, where his blocked extra point and two late rushing touchdowns secured the title and drew a community-wide viewing across the five rural towns that feed the school.
Cooper DeJean Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Cooper DeJean is the eldest of three brothers raised in Odebolt, Iowa, by his parents Jason and Katie DeJean. All three brothers are competitive athletes, with Beckett playing defensive back for the University of South Dakota and Jaxx committed to play wide receiver at the University of Iowa as part of the 2027 recruiting class after starring at OA-BCIG.
Personal Life
DeJean is a Christian and continues to maintain close ties to his Iowa roots, frequently returning to the small communities that supported his early athletic development. His brothers’ ongoing football careers reflect the family’s deep involvement in the sport.
2025 Season Performance
Cooper DeJean’s 2025 season has mirrored his rookie trajectory, blending steady defensive growth with high-profile big plays. The Philadelphia Eagles have continued to expand his role, and his Week 16 performance against the Washington Commanders, four tackles, four pass breakups, and an interception, was a defining afternoon. That showing earned him NFC Defensive Player of the Week honors and reinforced his reputation as one of the league’s rising cornerbacks.
His 2025 campaign was also capped by his first Pro Bowl selection and a First-team All-Pro nod, both firsts for the former second-round pick. Those honors placed him among the top defensive backs in the NFL and validated the Eagles’ decision to deploy him across the secondary and on special teams.
As the Eagles push toward the postseason, DeJean’s combination of coverage discipline, tackling reliability, and return-game explosiveness gives Philadelphia a versatile weapon on all three phases. With his second contract cycle approaching and his role continuing to expand, DeJean’s outlook entering 2026 is among the brightest in the league at the cornerback position.
