Iowa High School Football Player Named Best in Nation
Cooper DeJean was the best player on the field in every game that his high school football team played this past season. Turns out, he's not just the best in Iowa. He's been named the best high school football player in America.
DeJean has been named the All-American Bowl Adidas Player of the Year. The award is given each year to the best high school senior in America. When you see his stats and highlights, it's little wonder. The All-American Bowl wasn't played due to COVID-19.
The quarterback and hawk in the defensive backfield for OABCIG (Odebolt-Arthur-Battle Creek-Ida Grove), DeJean led the school to the 2020 Class 1A Football title. He was a huge factor in the school's semi-final win over my alma mater, Sigourney-Keota. There was just no beating them, with that player, that day. Other teams have found the sledding just as tough. DeJean didn't lose as quarterback for OACBIG, who collected state championships in both 2020 and 2019 (Class 2A). Here are some of his highlights:
In 2020, DeJean was part of 62 touchdowns, by far the most by a member of an 11-player team in the state. He threw for nearly 3,500 yards and 35 touchdowns and had just nine interceptions. He also ran for 24 touchdowns and returned three kicks for touchdowns. He also grabbed three interceptions on defense and recorded 53.5 tackles.
When DeJean, a four-star safety who is ranked the 8th best safety in the country by 247 Sports, signed to play college football at the University of Iowa, it was a special day for another young man:
You can learn more about this special athlete, and young man, below.