2027 Cooper DeJean Trophy Candidates: 1A

The inaugarul Cooper DeJean Trophy, which goes to the top player in all classes, was awarded to Newton's Caden Klein<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/caden-klein/"></a> <a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/caden-klein/"></a> <a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/caden-klein/"></a> <a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/caden-klein/"></a> in mid-April. Who will be players to keep an eye on from 1A when the trophy is handed out next year?   <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/04/2027-cooper-dejean-trophy-candidates-5a/">2027 Cooper DeJean Trophy Candidates: 5A</a>   <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/04/2027-cooper-dejean-trophy-candidates-5a-part-2/">2027 Cooper DeJean Trophy Candidates: 5A Part 2</a>   <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/04/2027-cooper-dejean-trophy-candidates-4a/">2027 Cooper DeJean Trophy Candidates: 4A</a>   <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/04/2027-cooper-dejean-trophy-candidates-3a/">2027 Cooper DeJean Trophy Candidates: 3A</a>   <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/04/2027-cooper-dejean-trophy-candidates-2a/">2027 Cooper DeJean Trophy Candidates: 2A</a>    An Iowa pledge, Braylon Bingham was one of the first names that came to mind when putting together this list -- not just in 1A, but between all classes. A two-way star for Pleasantville, Bingham plays both quarterback and safety for the Trojans as one of the more smoother athletes in the state.   A tough-to-tackle runner and a QB that can navigate the pocket before launching downfield, Bingham finished his junior campaign completing 87-of-152 passes (57.2%) for 1,492 yards and 16 touchdowns to six picks. On the ground -- between designed runs and Bingham's decision to take off on a broken play -- he took 119 carries for 909 yards and seven scores.   Serving as the last line of defense at safety, Bingham led Pleasantville in tackles this season, posting 60.5, including 2.5 tackles-for-loss (TFLs). Offenses ensured he wouldn't have many opportunities at interceptions or pass-breakups, avoiding his area of coverage when attacking the Trojans through the air.     The returning signal caller for the top team in 1A last season, Easton DeJong is back under center for West Lyon with the hopes of taking them back to the promised land this fall. Finishing last season with the most touchdowns scored amongst juniors (27), DeJong may take his game to another level during his senior campaign.   In 2025, DeJong completed 83-of-130 passes (63.8%) for 1,300 yards, 16 touchdowns and just two interceptions. As a runner, he took 62 carries for 558 yards and nine scores. So, doing the math, where did his other two scores come from? DeJong benefitted from the talent and playcalling around him, as well, grabbing two catches for 28 yards and two scores.   Of course, playcalling can only do so much -- DeJong has the arm for deep shots, the IQ on when and where to throw the rock, the speed to make plays with his feet and more. He'll be a name to keep tabs on for this award.     Coming off a tough junior campaign following Tri-Center's run to a Class A state title during his sophomore year, AJ Harder and the Trojans will look to bounce back and compete again in 1A this fall under the talented 2027's leadership.   Between the last two seasons, Harder has completed nearly 350 passes for just under 5,000 yards and 45 touchdown passes. Though he and Tri-Center didn't accomplish what they wanted in 1A this last season, it wouldn't be smart to count out a player that has racked up stats like that before their senior season has even started.   He'll need to find some new targets, as his top two pass-catchers the last two seasons have since graduated, but Harder is able to throw the ball all over the field, finding receivers in the short and intermediate game, while also taking schemed up throws down the sideline for big gains. As long as he can foster chemisty with his new top targets, he'll be in line to put up big numbers again.     With the most all-purpose yards among returning 2027s in 1A, Zane Mullenix did a little bit of everything for EBF last fall. In total, the 5-foot-10, 185-pound running back finished the year with 140 carries for 1,058 yards and 14 touchdowns, plus three catches for 40 yards and a score. He also returned 16 kicks for 321 yards.   A speedster that utilized the option run game with his quarterback to get into space and take on an extra blocker, Mullenix would bide his time before taking off down the sideline and out-running the defense. There were times the two-way star would also appear to embrace the "I'm not getting tackled on this play" mindset before powering through for a big gain or a long score.   Defensively, Mullenix finished the season as the 1A leader in tackles, finishing with 102.5 on the year, and doing so in only nine games. He averaged 11.4 tackles per game. If he and the Rockets are able to rack up more wins in 2026, he should be in the thick of the conversation for the 1A nomination.     One of the more dominant players in the class of 2027 on both sides of the ball, the All-American and future Power 4 linebacker, Tate Wallace will be in line for another big time season this fall for Regina Catholic.   An explosive and powerful pass-rusher, Wallace was unblockable at times this last season for the Regals. With a high-motor and violence to rip through left tackles and make them work their tails off all game, Wallace totaled 49.5 tackles, 18 TFLs, 8.5 sacks and two forced fumbles from the defensive end spot.   A tight end that can give a linebacker or a DE a nice punch in the mouth as a blocker, but also release and break off a route in the middle of the field for a nice gain, Wallace is a nightmare matchup as a tight end. With his long, bounding strides and the ability to manhandle DBs and out-run linebackers, no one wants the assignment of defending one of the better pass-catchers in the state. Wallace finished his junior campaign with a team-leading 40 catches for 611 yards and ten scores.

The inaugarul Cooper DeJean Trophy, which goes to the top player in all classes, was awarded to Newton's Caden Klein in mid-April. Who will be players to keep an eye on from 1A when the trophy is handed out next year?