Iowa introduced Wednesday evening that megastar cornerback and kick returner Cooper DeJean would omit the remainder of the 2023 season.
The varsity mentioned DeJean had suffered a decrease leg damage and didn’t specify which leg. The commentary made it transparent that DeJean’s damage would rule him out of any bowl sport.
“That is in point of fact heartbreaking for Cooper,” Iowa trainer Kirk Ferentz mentioned in a commentary. “He has performed extraordinarily neatly and is an actual playmaker on our group. We can all make stronger Cooper all over his restoration, which can proceed into the brand new yr.”
DeJean’s damage is the most recent important damage for the Hawkeyes in 2023. Iowa has additionally misplaced QB Cade McNamara, TE Luke Lachey and TE Erick All to season-ending accidents this season.
Iowa moved as much as No. 16 within the Faculty Soccer Playoff ratings Tuesday evening after a 22-0 win over Rutgers. DeJean has been one of the vital group’s absolute best avid gamers and has 41 tackles, two sacks and two interceptions during the first 10 video games. Iowa mentioned in its commentary that DeJean had performed over 400 snaps in move protection in 2023 with out giving up a landing.
DeJean has additionally been prolific as a punt returner as he has 21 returns for 241 yards and a landing. That ranking got here with lower than 4 mins to head towards Michigan State in September and used to be the go-ahead TD within the Hawkeyes’ 26-16 win.
DeJean seemed to have damaged some other go-ahead punt go back TD in October towards Minnesota, however that go back used to be referred to as again after officers dominated that the wave DeJean made ahead of fielding the ball off the leap used to be an invalid truthful catch sign and avoided him from advancing the ball. Iowa went directly to lose that sport, 12-10.
The junior is a conceivable first-round select within the 2024 NFL Draft and it’s unclear if his damage will have an effect on his talent to determine for groups if he chooses to claim. Yahoo Sports activities’ Charles McDonald had DeJean going No. 11 total to the Arizona Cardinals in his Nov. 1 mock draft. As a sophomore in 2022, DeJean had 75 tackles and 5 interceptions.
The Hawkeyes are a win clear of clinching the Large Ten West and feature video games ultimate towards Illinois and Nebraska. A ten-2 common season remains to be conceivable for Iowa regardless of scoring fewer than 19 issues in keeping with sport. That’s as a result of DeJean and the Iowa protection permit simply 12.3 issues in keeping with sport.
