Iowa’s Cooper DeJean catches the punt and returns it 48 yards for a go-ahead Hawkeyes touchdown. (0:55)
Iowa Hawkeyes defensive back Cooper DeJean — one of the top defensive prospects in this month’s NFL draft — sent a letter to all NFL clubs last week informing them that he has been cleared to return to all football activities, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported Tuesday.
DeJean, who fractured a fibula in November, will hold an individual workout April 8 at Iowa and will do all on-field testing and position work without any restrictions.
ESPN’s Mel Kiper ranks DeJean as the 21st overall draft prospect on his latest Big Board rankings.
Calling it “kind of a freak thing,” DeJean said last month at the NFL scouting combine that he suffered the fractured fibula during a mid-November practice and underwent surgery. DeJean missed the Hawkeyes’ final four games of the season, including the Big Ten championship game.
The Odebolt, Iowa, native said the teams he has met with during the draft process have said they see him as an option at cornerback, in the slot and even for some snaps at safety. He had seven career interceptions and returned three of those for touchdowns.
DeJean also returned 31 punts in his three seasons at Iowa, averaging 13.1 yards per return with one touchdown.
“Being able to play multiple different positions, I think that’s an advantage coming into this league, to be able to play wherever they put me,” DeJean said at the combine. “It doesn’t matter to me, to be honest. I just want to play ball.”
Information from ESPN’s Jeff Legwold was used in this report.
