Happy birthday! Philadelphia Eagles rookie Cooper DeJean illuminated his 22nd birthday by making the play of a lifetime.
During the second quarter of Super Bowl LIX, the Eagles’ defensive back executed a stunning interception of Kansas City Chiefs quarterback and two-time NFL MVP Patrick Mahomes. DeJean sprinted 38 yards to the end zone, extending Philadelphia’s lead to 17-0 with just 7:03 left in the first half.
This remarkable feat made DeJean the first player in history to score a Super Bowl touchdown on his birthday. He also became only the second rookie to return an interception for a touchdown in Super Bowl history, following Reggie Phillips in 1986.
So, what else should fans know about this promising rookie defensive back? Here’s a closer look at DeJean’s journey.
How did the Eagles acquire DeJean?
The Philadelphia Eagles selected DeJean with the 40th overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, hailing from the University of Iowa.
Throughout his three seasons in Iowa City, DeJean established himself as one of the top defensive backs in college football. In his first year as a full-time starter in 2022, he recorded five interceptions, returning three for touchdowns. He also showcased his versatility as a punt returner, averaging 16.5 yards per return in 2022 and 11.5 yards per return—along with one touchdown—in 2023.
An All-American, DeJean faced a setback with a knee injury that limited him to just 10 games in the 2023 season, which likely contributed to his drop to the second round of the draft.
What did DeJean achieve during his rookie season?
In his rookie regular season, DeJean played in 16 games, accumulating one forced fumble, three fumble recoveries, six passes defended, and 51 combined tackles. Notably, he did not record an interception until the Super Bowl. According to Pro Football Focus (PFF), DeJean ranked second among cornerbacks with a 90.8 run defense grade, fourth with an 82.7 overall grade, twelfth with a 79.3 coverage grade, and fiftieth with a 61.6 pass rush grade.
As a punt returner, he averaged 10.0 yards per return, demonstrating his all-around skills on the field.
What has DeJean done this postseason?
Entering Super Bowl LIX, DeJean had recorded three passes defended and 15 combined tackles throughout the Eagles’ three postseason games. His interception return for a touchdown was not only a highlight of the game but also marked his first interception of the entire season, regular or postseason.
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