Cooper DeJean informs NFL teams he's medically cleared ahead of April 8 workout

Former Iowa Hawkeyes star Cooper DeJean informed NFL teams last week that he’s been medically cleared ahead of an April 8 workout he put on the books for scouts to check him out before the draft. He let the teams know about his updated status with a letter, according to NFL insider Adam Schefter.

DeJean is considered one of the top defensive back prospects ahead of the 2024 NFL Draft despite suffering a season-ending injury last year. The versatile DB fractured his fibula during a practice ahead of Week 13 of the college season. Recovery from the injury kept him from participating at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis but he is now ready to put it all out on the field in Iowa City on April 8.

DeJean was a unanimous consensus All-American in 2023 despite his season-ending injury. He recorded 41 tackles, five passes defensed, and two interceptions in his 10 appearances. He also had 21 punt returns for 241 yards and one touchdown.

The defensive back burst onto the scene in 2022 in his first year as a starter with 75 tackles, eight pass breakups, and five interceptions. He returned three interceptions for touchdowns and returned 10 punts for 165 yards.

DeJean fully healthy ahead of April 25 NFL Draft

ESPN NFL draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. has only two other cornerbacks ahead of the Hawkeyes star – Quinyon Mitchell of Toledo and Terrion Arnold of Alabama. Kiper has consistently placed DeJean in his list of top 20 prospects, which is, in part, due to his ability to play in multiple positions in the secondary.

“He can play in any defense structure, which is what I like about him at corner,” Kiper said last week while talking to reporters about the draft. “I think he can move inside. He’s over 6-foot, 205 pounds, he is a guy who’s very athletic, very tough, good tackler, punt return ability.

“Cooper would have been a top-15 guy if he finished the process healthy, finished the year healthy. I think the dual versatility helps him. Not being able to work out, obviously, that’s something that people would like to see.”

The cornerback has no preference where he plays in the secondary at the next level. He opened up to reporters about his versatility last month.

“Being able to play multiple different positions, I think that’s an advantage coming into this league, to be able to play wherever they put me,” DeJean said. “It doesn’t matter to me, to be honest. I just want to play ball.”