IOWA CITY, Iowa — Three University of Iowa football players have been named Walter Camp All-Americans on Friday. Junior Cooper DeJean and senior Tory Taylor are first team honorees, while senior Jay Higgins is a second team selection.
Walter Camp, the nation’s oldest college football All-America team, is one of five outlets recognized by the NCAA to determine consensus All-Americans (Football Writers Association of America, Associated Press, Sporting News, Associated Press).
DeJean was one of top defensive players in the nation before going down with a season-ending injury in Week 12. The Odebolt, Iowa, native finished the season with 41 tackles, two TFL, two interceptions and five pass breakups in 10 games. DeJean did not allow a touchdown pass in 388 snaps in coverage in 2023.
As a punt returner, DeJean was one of the nation’s best. He had a 70-yard punt return for a game-winning touchdown against Michigan State and he had a second touchdown return for the game-winning score negated because of an “invaild fair catch signal” against Minnesota. DeJean is second in the Big Ten and ranks 14th nationally, averaging 11.5 yards per return.
Earlier this week, DeJean was tabbed first-team All-America by CBS, Sports Illustrated and The Athletic. DeJean was a finalist for the Jim Thorpe and Bronko Nagurski awards and was a semifinalist for the Lott IMPACT Trophy. He was previously named the Tatum-Woodson Big Ten Defensive Back of the Year and the Rodgers-Dwight Big Ten Return Specialist of the Year last month. DeJean is also a first-team all-conference honoree by the Associated Press and league coaches and media.