Uploaded September 2025 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago

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"I wouldn't be the player I am today if I didn't go to the University of Iowa." – Cooper DeJean, former Hawkeye

DeJean—a native of Odebolt, Iowa—hasn’t forgotten his small-town roots, which he says keeps him humble. He credits Iowa’s football program for setting him up for a successful rookie season in the NFL. Despite having to wait six weeks to see the field due to a hamstring injury, DeJean started nine games, accumulated 50 tackles, and became just the second rookie in Super Bowl history to have an interception return for a touchdown.

Read more: magazine.foriowa.org/story.php?ed=true&storyid=2555

#cooperdejean #uiowa #hawkeyefootball #uiowaalumni