Oh no! Cooper DeJean, the NFC Defensive Player of the Week, went from Iowa City to the NFL. “COOOOOOP!” is the catchphrase for the breakout cornerback whose ascent from small-town Iowa to NFL prominence has become one of the most captivating tales of the 2025 season. You could hear it reverberating throughout Eagles Country this week.
Cooper DeJean, a defensive back for the Philadelphia Eagles, received the NFC Defensive Player of the Week award just one day after being selected for his first Pro Bowl. The 22-year-old’s week of accomplishments comes to an end with this recognition, which highlights his progress since his time at the University of Iowa.
In Week 16, DeJean’s pivotal performance against the Washington Commanders helped Philadelphia secure the NFC East title. Few defenders in the league matched his stat line from that game, which included four tackles, a career-high four passes defensed, and an important interception. Quarterbacks tested him right away, targeting him ten times, but DeJean held his ground, giving up just four receptions for thirty-two yards and keeping Washington’s passer rating at a pitiful 9.2.
Such a performance is not something that just happens. The defensive coordinator for the Eagles implements ideas that push defensive backs and linebackers to think as much as they do. Even though DeJean is only in his second NFL season, his preparation is evident not only in the physical outcomes but also in the way he anticipates routes, hides his intentions, and responds with the instincts of an experienced veteran.
But let’s rewind a bit — because this rise didn’t just happen overnight.
DeJean, an Odebolt, Iowa native, excelled at OA-BCIG High School, setting numerous school records while playing on both sides of the ball. He was a playmaker, not just another high school standout. In addition to scoring clutch touchdowns and leading his team to consecutive state titles, he recorded defensive snaps that demonstrated his adaptability and fierce competitiveness.
DeJean continued to draw attention at the University of Iowa. He was well-known to Hawkeye supporters as a fearless defender, a reliable tackler, and a potent return threat. Every time he took the field, opponents had to devise a strategy to avoid him. He became known as one of the most exciting defensive players in the Big Ten thanks to his impressive college record, which was filled with game-changing plays and athletic highlights.
Philadelphia took notice and selected DeJean with their 2024 second-round draft pick (No. 40 overall), a decision that has paid off sooner than most anticipated. Not only did he make the roster in his rookie season, but he also had an impact. He established himself as a mainstay in the Eagles’ defensive backfield by Week 6. Then came a pick-six in Super Bowl LIX, one of the most memorable moments of his early career. He became the first Eagles player to score a touchdown in a Super Bowl on his birthday when he not only caught the interception off Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes but also returned it 38 yards for a touchdown.
For some people, that kind of storybook moment might have been the high point. For DeJean, however, it was only the start. Even seasoned defenders strive for years to earn weekly awards and Pro Bowl recognition, but his second season has been a steady ascent upward.
He is in elite company with this particular NFC Defensive Player of the Week award. He follows teammates like Quinyon Mitchell and Jordan Davis as one of the Eagles defenders honored this season. Alongside icons like Merton Hanks and Desmond King, DeJean is actually the fourth former Iowa defensive back to receive such weekly honors.
It’s more than just the numbers for Philadelphia supporters. It has to do with DeJean’s significance to this group. He is the epitome of the next generation: intelligent, fearless, slightly scrappy, and always prepared to make a move when it counts most. Whether he’s jumping into traffic on a route or reading a quarterback’s eyes, his eagerness has won over doubters and silenced those who believed a young, second-year cornerback couldn’t be relied upon in crucial games.
Off the field, too? You can learn all you need to know from the social media applause and fan chants. “COOOOOOP!” is more than just a moniker on venues where Eagles fans congregate; it’s a symbol of pride. It captures the love that supporters have for him as well as the tangible thrill that his play adds to each game. DeJean is gaining momentum as the season draws to a close. His story serves as a reminder that even the most modest beginnings can be elevated into league-wide respect through hard work, unwavering energy, and fearless execution, as evidenced by his Pro Bowl recognition and this NFC Defensive Player of the Week award.
From a small Iowa town to the bright lights of the NFL and now the national accolades that demonstrate Cooper DeJean isn’t just a name fans cheer, the story is, in many respects, as inspirational as any in football. They will remember him.
