If Questions About Cooper DeJean's Athleticism Don't Stop Now It's Because Of What He Looks Like

Cooper DeJean played football, baseball, basketball and ran track at Ida Grove High School back in Odebolt, Iowa. He was something of a local legend before he went on to become a starting cornerback for the University of Iowa football team the past two seasons and draw attention from NFL teams as a 2024 draft prospect.

But despite the accomplishments, and tape, and NFL interest, there were still curious questions about his athleticism the past couple of months leading up to the draft.

DeJean Athleticism Not Questionable

At the combine, there were teams that asked DeJean about moving from cornerback to safety. No, he wasn't offended. He embraced the questions as a chance to show he'd be a team player and try to fit in anywhere coaches asked.

But now, the questions about DeJean's athleticism and physical attributes to play cornerback should hit the mute button.

That's because DeJean on Monday held a personal workout for NFL teams and he tested like the first- or second-day of the draft prospect he is: Meaning he killed it.

DeJean ran a 4.43 and a 4.45 on stopwatches in the 40-yard dash. 

He measured 6-foot and 5/8ths.

He recorded a 38.5 vertical jump.

He had a 10'4" broad jump.

And he had 1.52 and then 1.55 times as 10-yard splits.

All told, Cooper DeJean made the case he is athletically in the top one percent of NFL cornerback prospects. 

IOWA CITY, IA - OCTOBER 07: Iowa Hawkeyes left corner back Cooper DeJean (3) runs back a uni as Purdue defensive back Botros Alisandro (19) defends  during a college football game between the Purdue Boilermakers and the Iowa Hawkeyes on October 07, 2023, at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Ia. (Photo by Keith Gillett/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Cooper Dejean Chases Starting CB Job

So, if the questions about his athleticism and ability to play cornerback don't disappear, there has to be another reason people are asking.

And maybe that's because of what DeJean looks like.

He is, for the record, white.

And the idea he could enter the league as a cornerback and try to become a starter – as most first- or second-rounders often do – would make DeJean somewhat uncommon.

Because it's been a long time since a white cornerback started in the NFL.

Jason Sehorn was the last white cornerback in the NFL who saw serious playing time. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images)

White NFL CBs Are Rare

Jason Sehorn last played cornerback for the New York Giants in 2002. And Kevin Kaesviharn started five games at corner for the Cincinnati Bengals that same season.

That's the last time a white player started at cornerback in the NFL.

Riley Moss, also from Iowa, was drafted in the third round by the Denver Broncos last season. He was at the combine in 2023, also trying to break through as a white starting NFL cornerback.

This doesn't suggest NFL teams don't trust white players to play cornerback. NFL lineups are, for the most part, set by merit. 

It means teams are asking all the questions and want all the information before committing any draft pick.  

DeJean has spent the past couple of months preparing for this day so he'd leave no doubt he belongs. He was not cleared for full football workouts until March 27.

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - FEBRUARY 29: Iowa defensive back Cooper DeJean answers questions from the media during the NFL Scouting Combine on February 29, 2024, at the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis, IN. (Photo by Zach Bolinger/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

DeJean was cleared after suffering a fractured fibula in November. The injury forced him to miss the final weeks of the Iowa season, the team's bowl game and all the preparation for the NFL combine in late February.

That's the reason he didn't work out for teams at the combine. And the reason he missed Iowa's pro day on March 15.

But the wait was obviously worth it for DeJean.

Now teams have a full picture of what he might offer as an NFL starting cornerback.