THE Iowa Hawkeyes have given a brutal injury update regarding star Cooper DeJean.
The Hawkeyes cornerback suffered a lower leg injury and will miss the remainder of the 2023-24 college football season.
Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz announced the brutal news on DeJean on Wednesday.
“This is truly heartbreaking for Cooper,” he said in a statement, via ESPN.
“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.”
Ferentz also revealed that DeJean suffered the injury during practice.
The 6-foot-1, 207-pound cornerback had been one of Iowa’s best players.
DeJean had 41 tackles, two sacks, and two interceptions through the first 10 games.
He also played over 400 snaps in pass coverage and didn’t allow a touchdown.
Later on Wednesday, DeJean was named a Nagurski Award finalist as one of college football’s top five defenders.
Last season, he had three interception returns for touchdowns which set a program single-season record.
The Hawkeyes will also miss DeJean’s skills as a punt returner.
He had 21 returns for 241 yards including a touchdown.
That score occurred late in the fourth quarter against Michigan State in September and was the deciding touchdown in Iowa’s 26-16 victory.
The injury to DeJean is the latest brutal injury for Iowa in 2023.
They have also lost quarterback Cade McNamara and tight ends Luke Lachey and Erick All to season-ending injuries.
The Hawkeyes are 8-2 for the season and take on Illinois this Saturday.
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