IOWA CITY, Iowa — A Hawkeye star's season has come to an end following an injury as the team prepares for one of its biggest games of the season.
Hawkeyes defensive back Cooper DeJean suffered a lower leg injury during practice on Wednesday, Nov. 15, Head Coach Kirk Ferentz announced. The injury will end DeJean's season.
“This is truly heartbreaking for Cooper,” Ferentz said. “He has played extremely well and is a real playmaker on our team. We will all support Cooper during his recovery, which will continue into the new year."
On the very same day as his injury occurred, DeJean was named as a finalist for the Nagurski Award, given to the best defensive player in the country. DeJean has played over 400 snaps in coverage during the 2023 season without giving up a touchdown. He leads the Hawkeyes in pass breakups, is second in interceptions, and seventh in tackles.
The Hawkeyes will play Illinois on Saturday, Nov. 18 for their Senior Day matchup, with a win clinching the Big Ten West title for the season.
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