Cooper DeJean, Caitlin Clark (Images via Imagn/X)
Philadelphia Eagles rookie sensation Cooper DeJean is gearing up for the biggest game of his nascent NFL career. Despite sharing Iowa ties with basketball superstar Caitlin Clark, DeJean has no hard feelings about her rooting for the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LIX.The Eagles are set to take on the Chiefs this Sunday in New Orleans, where DeJean will make his debut on football’s grandest stage. Additionally, he will be looking forward to celebrating his 22nd birthday on a high note.

The defensive back has impressed in his first NFL season, securing nine starts and earning a spot on the Pro Football Writers Association’s All-Rookie Team. DeJean has made a strong presence in the Philadelphian defense after being selected in the second round of the draft last year.Earlier, despite their shared Hawkeye roots, Caitlin Clark has made it clear that her Super Bowl allegiance lies with Kansas City. When asked about her support for the Chiefs, Clark didn’t hesitate, saying, “I hope Cooper has a great game, but it’s my Chiefs all day long.”Cooper DeJean, when approached by Mirror US Sports, admitted that he understands Caitlin’s decision to root for the Chiefs.

When pressed about the possibility of breaking Clark’s heart with an Eagles victory, DeJean couldn’t help but smile. “Hopefully we can,” he said confidently.

While DeJean is enjoying a meteoric rise in the NFL, he wasn’t the only Iowa athlete to achieve stardom in 2024. Clark, the Iowa Hawkeyes legend, has emerged as a generational talent in women’s basketball, transitioning seamlessly into the WNBA with the Indiana Fever. Her record-breaking performances and massive fan following have made her one of the most recognizable figures in sports today.

Cooper DeJean was instrumental in Philadelphia’s comeback from a 2-2 start

Heading into their bye week (week 5), the Philadelphia Eagles found themselves at a crossroads. Sitting at 2-2 with losses to the Atlanta Falcons and Tampa Bay Buccaneers, their defense struggled to find consistency. However, the tide shifted dramatically upon their return, largely due to the rise of rookie cornerback Cooper DeJean.
Cooper DeJean (Image via PFF)
Inserted into the starting lineup alongside fellow rookie Quinyon Mitchell, DeJean became a game-changer in defensive coordinator Vic Fangio’s system. The Eagles’ defense transformed into one of the league’s most formidable units, holding nine of their next 13 opponents to under 20 points and limiting 10 teams to fewer than 300 total yards.Most notably, their pass defense skyrocketed from 25th in the NFL in EPA per play allowed through Week 4 to first from Week 6 onward, according to Tru Media.A major catalyst in this resurgence was DeJean’s transition into the slot cornerback role. His ability to shut down opposing receivers proved invaluable, as he held his matchups to just 50 receptions while breaking up five passes. Quarterbacks struggled against him, posting an 82.2 passer rating when targeting his coverage.