Iowa Hawkeyes Football

HEIGHT: 6'5"

WEIGHT: 281

HAND: 10¼"

ARM: 32¼"

WINGSPAN: 78⅞"

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40-YARD DASH: 5.05

3-CONE: 7.16

SHUTTLE: 4.37

VERTICAL: 31.5"

BROAD: 9'6"

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POSITIVES

— Tested well at the NFL combine and earned a 9.20 RAS. Movement skills show up on the field, too.

— Has a quick get-off and can occasionally get penetration off the snap.

— Has the upper-body strength to get extension and shed blocks when he isn't at an arm-length disadvantage against offensive linemen.

— Athleticism and quickness give him potential as a pass-rusher in the NFL. Flashed a solid arm-over move in college.

— Played several spots on Iowa's defensive line, lining up anywhere from a 1-technique to a 4i-tech.

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NEGATIVES

— Undersized and has below-average arm length for an NFL defensive lineman.

— Arm length becomes an issue versus long-limbed offensive linemen, especially tackles, since how much extension he can get on blocks is limited.

— Pad level rises quickly out of his stance, and he lacks the sand in his pants to hold his ground against the run. Also gets his shoulders turned fairly easily versus combo blocks, leading to him getting scooped.

— Balance when escaping blocks is an issue. Will stumble and fall, missing opportunities to make tackles for loss.

— Lack of size and strength makes his bull rush ineffective.

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2023 STATISTICS

— 14 G, 55 TOT, 5.5 TFL, 3 SK, 3 PD

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NOTES

— Born June 12, 2000

— 3-star recruit at tight end in the 2019 class, per 247Sports' composite rankings

— Injuries: 2023 (Shoulder, played through it and had offseason surgery)

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OVERALL

Logan Lee has NFL potential with his quickness and athletic testing numbers. His movement skills show up on the field through his get-off and ability to make offensive linemen miss when slanting, and he has solid strength at the point of attack.

However, his best position in the NFL is a big question mark.

Lee is too light and lacks the lower-body strength to line up at defensive tackle, but he also lacks the length to play on the edge and struggles to disengage from blocks against longer offensive tackles. His best bet is to add some size and strength to become a 3-technique.

Luckily, he has experience playing multiple spots on the line, making him more draftable.

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GRADE: 5.6 (Backup/Draftable — 6th-7th Round)

OVERALL RANK: 222

POSITION RANK: DL24

PRO COMPARISON: Brandon Blair

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Written by B/R NFL Scout Matt Holder

Visit B/R's NFL Scouting Department hub for scouting reports on all of the top prospects.

Iowa cornerback Cooper DeJean has reportedly been viewed as a safety prospect by many NFL teams ahead of the draft, per ESPN's Field Yates.

"I think there's a chance that a lot of teams, as a matter of fact many teams that I have spoken with continue to view him as a safety prospect," Yates said on First Draft on Monday (7:10 mark).

DeJean spent his college career as a cornerback, but it seems NFL teams are looking to transition him into a new position at safety. He was outstanding at cornerback while playing for Iowa, notching 41 tackles, five passes defended and a pair of interceptions in 10 games his junior year. In 2022, he had 75 tackles, eight passes defender and five interceptions—three of which he returned for touchdowns.

He is considered to be the No. 31 overall prospect and the No. 4 cornerback prospect by Bleacher Report's Scouting Department. In the latest mock draft, DeJean is projected to land with the Green Bay Packers with the No. 25 pick.

At his Pro Day on Monday, DeJean showed off his athleticism with a 4.42 40-yard dash, a 1.55 in the 10-yard split and a vertical jump of 38.5.

While DeJean certainly has athleticism, NFL scouts noted some weaknesses that could hold him back as a cornerback. Scouts said he struggles to open his hips to defend against sudden acceleration and fails to turn and find the ball when defending deep routes, two skills that are critical for a professional cornerback.

Given those weaknesses, putting DeJean at safety where he can be in front of most of the offense could be a good move. It would be a somewhat tough transition, but one that could pay off in the long run.

HEIGHT: 6'0½"

WEIGHT: 203

HAND: 9⅝"

ARM: 31⅛"

WINGSPAN: 74⅞"

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40-YARD DASH: TBD

3-CONE: TBD

SHUTTLE: TBD

VERTICAL: TBD

BROAD: TBD

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POSITIVES

— Elite athlete with excellent size for the cornerback position. Possesses the desired top-end speed and movement skills for the NFL.

— Has very good vision and route recognition. Puts himself in a good position with proper spacing and leverage. Able to read and react to quarterbacks eyes.

— Value as a top-notch returner. Has done kick returning in his career but excels best as a punt returner, where he uses his vision, speed and overall athleticism to gain chunks of yards.

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NEGATIVES

— Can struggle in coverage at times. Lacks initial short-area quickness, which can lead to separation out of breaks. Also has shown to hop into breaks at times, affecting transitions.

— Suffered a season-ending lower leg injury toward the end of 2023 season. Need to see how he heals and if he is able to get back to his previous form.

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2023 STATISTICS

— 10 G, 41 TOT, 2 TFL, 5 PD, 2 INT

— Punt Return: 21 RET, 241 YDS (11.5 AVG), 1 TD

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NOTES

— Born Feb. 9, 2003

— 23 career starts

— 4-star recruit in the 2021 class, per 247Sports

— Suffered season-ending fractured fibula in mid-November

— 2023 unanimous consensus first-team All-American

— 2023 first-team All-American return specialist (Sports Illustrated)

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OVERALL

Cooper DeJean is one of the elite athletes in this year's draft. He has great size for a cornerback along with very good movement skills and versatility.

DeJean started his career at Iowa as a safety in 2021 before transitioning to cornerback. Along with his positional flexibility, he also provides real value as a return man.

DeJean has great length and very good strength for his position. He has fluid hips to open and run along with the speed to carry receivers deep.

DeJean excels in zone coverage, but he's versatile enough to play man as well. He shows a smooth backpedal and the ability to keep his leverage and quick footwork with few wasted steps. Although he transitions well, there are times where DeJean hops into his breaks; allowing a step of separation.

When in zone, DeJean does a great job of reading and reacting to the quarterback's eyes. Pairing that skill set with his route recognition, he often puts himself in good position with leverage and positioning.

While working downfield, DeJean has the strength necessary to hand-fight with tight ends and bigger receivers, as well as the speed necessary to carry twitchier receivers downfield. He also does a very good job of locating the ball and playing through the catch point.

When playing the run, DeJean does a great job of using his size and physicality, although he lacks the aggressiveness needed when attacking blocks on the edge. He often looks to use his quickness or dance around blocks. While taking on blocks, he does a very good job of looking through into the backfield and quickly disengaging to get to the ball-carrier. He has shown to be a wrap tackler who likes to lead with his shoulder and often wraps up to get the ball-carrier down on the ground.

Though DeJean has the size and physicality to play safety in the NFL, he has the ball skills and movement skills to play cornerback. Although he will fit best in a zone scheme, he's one of the top cornerback prospects in this year's draft class and has added return ability that most don't have.

It remains to be seen whether DeJean can return to his pre-injury form. Regardless, he has the skill set to go within the first two rounds and should make a push as a starter early in his NFL career.

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GRADE: 7.7 (Potential Impact Player- 2nd Round)

OVERALL RANK: 28

POSITION RANK: CB4

PRO COMPARISON: Jevon Holland

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Written by B/R NFL Scout Cory Giddings

Visit B/R's NFL Scouting Department hub for scouting reports on all of the top prospects.

Former Alabama offensive tackle Kadyn Proctor announced he has committed to Iowa.

The return https://t.co/j5A8lLNbfo

— Kadyn Proctor (@KadynProctor1) January 20, 2024

Proctor started 13 games for the Crimson Tide in 2023 and was honored as a member of the All-SEC freshman team. 247Sports ranked him as the second-best player in the transfer portal.

Alabama has seen a few notable departures in the wake of Nick Saban's retirement. Julian Sayin, a 5-star quarterback recruit, entered the portal, while All-SEC safety Caleb Downs is reportedly moving to Ohio State.

New Crimson Tide head coach Kalen DeBoer had little time to settle in the job before he came to see the daunting task of succeeding such a legendary figure.

For Proctor, this is the second time he has committed to Iowa. A native of Des Moines, he originally pledged his future to the Hawkeyes in high school before reversing course prior to signing day in December 2022.

At the time, the 6'7", 360-pound lineman told reporters Alabama was a "better opportunity" and staying close to home felt like "I was settling."

"I don't want to come into this school and everybody thinks I'm one of the best players there already," he said. "I want to grow. That's not how I grow. I've got to get hit in the mouth before I can grow. And I think getting hit in the mouth is the competition (I need)."

Beyond the emotional pull of returning home, Proctor already proved himself to some degree by starting for Alabama as a true freshman. And with so much in flux with the Tide, the Hawkeyes probably present more of a sure thing in terms of his overall comfort level.

Proctor will be in line to start right away at Iowa, and he should register an immediate impact for an O-line that tied for 84th in average sacks allowed (2.29 per game).

Iowa cornerback Cooper DeJean has declared for the 2024 NFL Draft, he announced on social media Thursday afternoon.

DeJean, who spent three season at Iowa, was given All-American honors after an outstanding year. He is the No. 13 overall prospect on ESPN's Mel Kiper's 2024 NFL Draft big board.

💛🖤 pic.twitter.com/2iLKb4saC8

— Cooper DeJean (@cdejean23) January 4, 2024

This season, DeJean notched 41 tackles and a pair of interceptions, helping lead Iowa's top-10 nationally-ranked defense. In his career, he recorded 120 tackles, seven interceptions and 13 pass deflections.

His best season came in 2022, when he notched 55 total tackles, five interceptions and three defensive touchdowns. His 2023 season was cut short in early November after he suffered a lower-leg injury that kept him sidelined for Iowa's final two games of the regular season and the postseason.

With DeJean heading to the next level, Iowa certainly takes a hit on defense. It will be tough to match the star cornerback's production next season, and the Hawkeyes will certainly feel his absence.

The Hawkeyes are coming off a solid 10-4 season that saw them win the Big Ten West and reach the Big Ten Championship, where they lost to Michigan. Iowa lost to Tennessee in the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl earlier this week.

Iowa's struggles on offense were evident this season, but the Hawkeyes made up for it on defense. With DeJean on his way out, they'll need someone to step up if they want to match their defensive success in 2024.

Iowa football head coach Kirk Ferentz announced his intent to remain at the university despite his son Brian Ferentz's impending departure as offensive coordinator.

pic.twitter.com/7FjNVQBLsS

— Hawkeye Football (@HawkeyeFootball) November 2, 2023

Ferentz added more commentary on the matter during his radio show (h/t Scott Dochterman of The Athletic).

"I enjoy coaching. Fortunately, I feel really good. The doctors told me, I'm OK; I hope they're, right. And I hope to keep doing this for quite a while. And I've always loved being here. I've been here 34 years now.

"I gotta tell you, when the winds blowing like it was this morning, or yesterday morning, that may or may give you a little second thought. But outside of that, I like what I do. And most of all, like young people we've had a chance to work with."

Iowa interim athletic director Beth Goetz announced on Monday that Brian Ferentz would remain with the team through its bowl game. However, Iowa will be moving in a different direction at OC beginning in 2024.

Iowa announces this will be Brian Ferentz' last season as OC. Will be with team through bowl game. pic.twitter.com/xSqBiB1tRD

— Bryan Fischer (@BryanDFischer) October 30, 2023

Kirk Ferentz, 68, has been Iowa's head coach since 1999. Five of his teams have finished top 10 in the final Associated Press polls. He also led the Hawkeyes to Big Ten titles in 2002 and 2004.

Ferentz has led Iowa to Big Ten West titles in 2015 and 2021 and could very well do so again in 2023. The No. 24 Hawkeyes currently sit in a four-way tie atop the division at 3-2.

However, the offense is clearly holding the team back once again. Iowa finished 99th out of 130 Division I FBS teams in points per game in 2021. The Hawkeyes then landed 123rd of 131 teams in 2022. This year, Iowa is 120th among 133 teams.

Iowa is notably struggling in Big Ten play and especially lately. Quarterbacks Deacon Hill and Cade McNamara have combined to throw just six touchdown passes in eight games. Iowa has only scored one offensive touchdown in each of its last two games.

The Hawkeyes have also averaged just 15.2 points per game in conference play. Those matchups include a 31-0 loss to Penn State and a 12-10 loss to Minnesota last week.

Unfortunately, it's clear something needs to change on the offensive end given the team's persistent struggles. For now, though, Iowa is still very much so alive in the Big Ten West race. The Hawkeyes will look to get back in the win column Saturday against Northwestern.

Iowa offensive coordinator Brian Ferentz will not return for the 2024 college football season.

Interim athletic director Beth Goetz made the news official on Monday but added that Ferentz will continue with the team through its bowl game.

Iowa announces this will be Brian Ferentz' last season as OC. Will be with team through bowl game. pic.twitter.com/xSqBiB1tRD

— Bryan Fischer (@BryanDFischer) October 30, 2023

Ferentz provided a statement to ESPN's Pete Thamel, which he relayed after the news became official:

"For the vast majority of my adult life I have had the privilege to represent the University of Iowa as a football player and coach. I have always considered and will always consider it an honor.

"In that time my singular goal has been to contribute to the football team's success. As long as I am employed by the University of Iowa my stated goal will not change. My priority will continue to be the well being of our students and the success of our team."

Earlier Monday, multiple sources told David Eickholt of HawkeyeInsider that Ferenez was "not expected to return" for 2024.

Ferentz, who is the son of Iowa head coach Kirk Ferentz, has been the team's offensive coordinator since 2017.

The team has particularly struggled to score over the past three seasons, finishing 99th out of 130 Division I FBS teams in points per game 2021 and 123rd of 131 teams in 2022. This year's team hasn't fared much better, landing 120th among 133 teams thus far.

The spotlight has shone bright on Ferentz, especially before this season. Per Eickholt, Ferentz's contract was changed prior to this year, and he provided more details.

"He took a $50,000 pay cut and it was mandated by Iowa's administration that the Hawkeyes score at least 25 points per game (including a bowl game) -- by any means, including defense and special teams -- during the 2023 season," Eickholt wrote.

"If that happened, Ferentz would return to his rollover two-year contract."

Iowa is currently averaging 19.5 points per game. That number falls to just 14.2 points per game in Big Ten play.

This year's Iowa team is 6-2 (3-2 in the Big Ten) and sits ranked 24th in the Associated Press poll. The defense is strong enough for Iowa to be even better, allowing just 14.5 points per game (sixth in Division I FBS).

But the offense is struggling once again. The season's low points include a 31-0 loss to Penn State and a 12-10 defeat to Minnesota on Saturday.

The most recent loss was particularly jarring, as Iowa nearly won despite amassing just 127 total yards and committing three turnovers. Iowa only possessed the ball for 24:35 as well.

Iowa's defense held strong and allowed just four field goals, but the offense went 0-of-7 on second-half drives, which ended in five punts, an interception and a fumble.

Ultimately, a changing of the guard at OC appears warranted given the Hawkeyes' struggles. In the meantime, Iowa is still is the Big Ten West race, tied with three other teams at 3-2. The Hawkeyes will look to get back on track Saturday with a home game against Northwestern.

Iowa State quarterback Hunter Dekkers was among five ISU or Iowa athletes to plead guilty to underage gambling on Wednesday following a state investigation into sports wagering.

Per ESPN's Adam Rittenberg, the reduced charge of underage gambling carries a fine of $645 and the athletes won't face further criminal penalties.

Dekkers was joined by offensive lineman Jake Remsburg, former Iowa State player Dodge Sauser, former Iowa kicker Aaron Blom and former Iowa baseball player Gehrig Christensen in pleading guilty on Wednesday.

They had originally been charged with tampering with records, which is an aggravated misdemeanor that carried a maximum penalty of two years in prison.

"The original records tampering charge against these young men never fit this case, either legally or factually," attorney Mark Weinhardt, who represents Dekkers, Remsburg and Sauser, said in a statement. "Hunter, Jake, and Dodge are not and never were guilty of that charge. The charge has nothing to do with gambling. Other than the fact that Hunter, Jake, and Dodge placed some bets before they turned 21, nothing about those bets was a crime under Iowa law."

As part of the state investigation, over a dozen current or former Iowa State and Iowa athletes are facing charges of illegally gambling on games. Per Rittenberg, "Many have admitted to using online accounts belonging to their parents or others over 21 to place sports wagers." Also, several athletes were found to have violated NCAA rules by betting on games involving their teams, which could result in a permanent loss of eligibility.

Dekkers, who hasn't participated in team activities amid the probe, admitted to wagering $2,700 on events, including a football game when he was a member of the team. Remsburg is facing a six-game suspension from the NCAA, per Rittenberg, after admitting to wagering $1,108 on events, including six NCAA-sanctioned games.

Weinhardt noted that following Wednesday's guilty plea, the athletes can "focus on the educational and eligibility aspects of this matter."

Iowa State will go up against Iowa on Saturday. Both teams won their season openers last week.

Iowa head coach Kirk Ferentz believes some of the tradition of college football and regionality of the game is disappearing with conference realignment.

"Pretty much now I think what you can do with college football is take tradition and take geography and kinda of throw it out the window," he said during an appearance on The Rich Eisen Show (50-second mark). "It's a whole different game than what it was even 10-15 years ago."

Iowa is part of a Big Ten conference that will add USC, UCLA, Oregon and Washington after the 2023 season. Elsewhere, Texas and Oklahoma are going to the SEC, and Arizona, Arizona State, Colorado and Utah are going to the Big 12 on the same timelines.

What Ferentz doesn't say but will become a reality is that life will become much more difficult for the Hawkeyes with the addition of the Trojans, Bruins, Ducks and Huskies. Not only will there be four more difficult teams in the league, the conference is getting rid of divisions.

The Big Ten West has been much weaker than the Big Ten East during the current setup. In fact, the East division is 9-0 in the Big Ten Championship Game under the current setup, and Iowa hasn't had to worry about competing with the likes of East members Ohio State, Michigan, Penn State and Michigan State for a division crown.

As a result, the Hawkeyes have been in the Big Ten title game twice since the 2014 campaign when the current divisions were put in place.

Frankly, it is difficult to envision Iowa finishing in the top two of a conference that includes Ohio State, Michigan, Penn State, USC, Oregon, Wisconsin, UCLA and Washington, among others.

That may be the biggest downfall of all the movement for the Hawkeyes even if Ferentz is focused on the loss of geography and tradition.

Iowa defensive tackle Noah Shannon has been suspended by the NCAA for the 2023 college football season as part of the state's investigation into illegal sports gambling.

Head coach Kirk Ferentz announced the decision Wednesday, adding the school intends to appeal the decision.

Iowa's athletic department said in a press release a total of 11 current athletes for the school will have their eligibility impacted as a result of the investigation's findings. The names of the athletes are not being released until Iowa receives consent from them under the Family Education Right and Privacy Act.

Iowa announced on May 8 that the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission notified the school about potential NCAA violations related to sports wagering.

A total of 111 individuals were cited in the notification, including 26 current student-athletes from football, baseball, men's basketball, men's track and field and men's wrestling.

The list didn't include any current or former coaches, and the "vast majority of the individuals are student-staff, former student-athletes, or those with no connection to UI Athletics."

Shannon was one of three Iowa players originally scheduled to attend Big Ten media days in July, but he withdrew from the event as a result of the ongoing gambling probe, according to Scott Dochterman of The Athletic.

The 23-year-old has admitted to wagering on events, but he hasn't publicly stated what he bet on or how much he wagered.

"They're taking their time doing their investigation, and I can't be mad at them for that," Shannon said of the NCAA investigation earlier this month. "I mean, I broke a rule. I owned up to it."

On Aug. 10, Ryan Hansen of the Iowa City Press-Citizen reported four current or former members of the Hawkeyes football team were charged with tampering with records related to the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation's probe into sports gambling.

Wide receiver Jack Johnson and student manager Owen O'Brien were the current members of the team charged. Wide receiver Arland Bruce IV and safety Reggie Bracy, who both transferred from the program after the 2022 season, were also charged in the case.

Shannon is not one of the athletes who has been charged. He is entering his sixth season with the Hawkeyes. He has started all 27 games for the team over the past two seasons and recorded a career-high 8.5 tackles for loss in 2022.

Iowa is ranked No. 25 in the Associated Press Top 25 preseason poll. It will open the regular season on Sept. 2 against Utah State.