Cooper DeJean, an Iowa cornerback, has had a challenging five months, but he is getting closer to realizing his goals. DeJean will do a private workout at Iowa on April 8 after receiving full clearance for all football-related activities, according to a report from ESPN’s Adam Schefter on Tuesday.

Football fans were astonished by DeJean’s adaptability, thrilling returns, and inventive playmaking.In 10 games, he recorded 41 tackles, two TFLs, two interceptions, and five pass break-ups by the end of the season.

For 388 snaps in 2023, DeJean did not allow a touchdown throw while in coverage. He is second on the Hawkeyes in interceptions (2), sixth in tackles (41) and second in pass break-ups (5). DeJean received the unanimous first team all-American designation as well.

Even with all of the praise, some doubters don’t think DeJean is a good enough outside cornerback for the NFL. Some consider him to be more of a safety or slot corner. DeJean says he can play outside corner and compete with elite NFL wide receivers, but he’ll play wherever.

“I feel like I have the size and speed to do that,” said DeJean. “I am also aware that I am a versatile player. I believe my athleticism allows me to play any position in the backfield. It’s football season, and I adore the game. I’ll play football anywhere I go, so you put me on the field.”

DeJean was a semifinalist for the Lott IMPACT Trophy and a finalist for the Jim Thorpe and Bronko Nagurski trophies. He was previously named the Rodgers-Dwight Big Ten Return Specialist of the Year and the Tatum-Woodson Big Ten Defensive Back of the Year.

The Iowan from a small town was glaringly underutilized. Even though 247Sports rated him a four-star talent and he was an all-American in high school, Iowa was the only major university that he is known to have received a scholarship from. The four-sport standout from high school has all the physical tools necessary to advance his career, but he still finds himself shocked at his current status.

To be honest, it’s been wild, according to DeJean. “I used to believe you were crazy when you asked me if I would be here four years ago. It’s taken a lot of work to just learn, put my head down, and try to be the greatest version of myself every day that I walk into this workplace. It has been a wild journey but it’s been a lot of fun.”

Phil Parker has established himself as a master defensive back. Desmond King, Micah Hyde, Josh Jackson, Riley Moss, and numerous others are the players who will follow DeJean into the NFL.

“We’ve placed defensive backs in the NFL for a very long time. I’m attempting to maintain the high standards that Iowa and the defense as a whole have set,” DeJean had previously stated. We consider ourselves to be proficient in the fundamentals.

We’re a zone defense with an emphasis on keeping eyes on the quarterback, and we concentrate on doing those things as well as we can. Our defense isn’t that complicated. Coach Parker has made playing a lot of fun.”