Advertisement

DeJean Island: Cooper DeJean allowed lowest passer rating in slot coverage

Josh Helmer
·3 min read
2

Cooper DeJean is going to have to find some ways to entertain himself next season. Not that he won’t be playing and a constant on the field for the Iowa Hawkeyes, but he may be avoided entirely by opposing quarterbacks and offensive coordinators.

Pro Football Focus recently released that Cooper DeJean was the nation’s highest-graded cornerback in slot coverage last season by allowing a passer rating of just 11.5.

DeJean’s success last year was clear as day with his production in the stat sheet. He had 75 total tackles, eight pass deflections, and five interceptions that he turned into three touchdowns with his innate ability to find space with the ball in his hands.

To put this into perspective, the lowest qualified NCAA passer rating recorded over the 2022 season per ESPN was J.T. Shrout of Colorado‘s 98.3. Cooper DeJean is cutting down opponents’ passer ratings by nearly 100 points when they throw at him in slot coverage. Teams are better off avoiding attacking DeJean at all costs when in the slot and predetermining that route is taken off the table.

This stat, while not coming up on a common stat sheet, also proves that DeJean is excelling by taking away receivers and parts of the field. DeJean’s ability to lock down a receiver makes life easier for the rest of the secondary and defense. It also allows defensive coordinator Phil Parker to get even more creative in wreaking havoc on opponents.

DeJean is one of college football’s premier stars and on a trajectory where he could leave Iowa as an all-time great. Here’s a look back at some of the best moments from a very memorable sophomore season in Iowa City.

That first Pick 6 feeling!

Thanks, Wisconsin

House Call!

History!

Just turned 20 🤯

Back to it

Year Two

Mic'd up

Friendly reminder on the way out the door

[lawrence-auto-related count=5]

Contact/Follow us @HawkeyesWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Iowa news, notes, and opinions.

Follow Riley on Twitter: @rileydonald7

Story originally appeared on Hawkeyes Wire