© Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports
NFL Draft Prospect Cooper DeJean Shows Off Impressive Hops in High School Basketball Highlights
The former Iowa cornerback is an excellent athlete, as evidenced by his ability to dunk over anybody.
Iowa Hawkeyes cornerback Cooper DeJean is projected to be a first round pick during Thursday's NFL draft, and for good reason. He was tremendous as a senior last fall, recording 41 tackles and five passes defended to go along with two interceptions. In a draft class overflowing with offensive talent DeJean is seen as one of the few defenders worthy of a selection in the first round.
Football fans know the draft is ultimately a bit of a crapshoot and it's anybody's guess if DeJean will succeed at the next level. But he definitively checks one box that is often a good indicator of future NFL success— an electric high school basketball mixtape.
Check out the highlights from DeJean's days as point guard at Battle Creek-Ida Grove High School in Iowa. The man can jump.
Not every professional football player played basketball in high school. But the ones that did, like former No. 1 pick Myles Garrett, always have a highlight reel exhibiting just how far out of everyone else's league they are in terms of sheer athleticism. It's a good sign for DeJean that his mixtape looks like that because, to play in the NFL, absolutely elite athleticism is a prerequisite.
It's a good sign for DeJean that his mixtape looks the same because, to play in the NFL, absolutely elite athleticism is a prerequisite. Does this video prove he's that sort of athlete? No. But it is a strong piece of evidence pointing to that conclusion. In the more concrete realm, DeJean ran a 4.42 40-yard dash at his Pro Day. He's no doubt a great athlete.
DeJean should hear his name called on Thursday night. Whichever team calls him up to the podium will be getting, at the very least, an elite pick-up basketball teammate.
