IOWA CITY – Just as Iowa was marching up the polls to #16 in the college playoff and poised to win the Big10 West Division,
the Hawkeyes’ star defensive back Cooper DeJean suffered a season-ending injury, the team announced tonight.
Junior defensive back Cooper DeJean will miss the remainder of the 2023 football season, University of Iowa Moon Family Head Football Coach Kirk Ferentz announced Wednesday. DeJean suffered an injury to his lower leg.
“This has been a season filled with challenges for our team. I am proud of how our players have responded with tremendous grit and determination. We are focused on Saturday,” added Ferentz.
DeJean is one of the nation’s top college football players in 2023. He is a finalist for the Nagurski Award and is also a semifinalist for the Jim Thorpe, Lott IMPACT and Bednarik awards.
The Odebolt, Iowa, played nearly 400 snaps in coverage this season without giving up a touchdown. He leads the Hawkeyes in pass break-ups (5), is second in interceptions (2) and seventh in tackles (41) in 2023.
DeJean leads the Big Ten and ranks 13th nationally with an 11.5 punt return average. He had a 70-yard game-deciding touchdown late in the fourth quarter against Michigan State.
Iowa (8-2, 5-2) will host Illinois (5-5, 3-4) in its home finale Saturday at 2:35 p.m. (CT) on Duke Slater Field at Kinnick Stadium. The game will be televised on FS1 and broadcast on the Hawkeye Radio Network.
