2027 Cooper DeJean Trophy Candidates: 2A

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The inaugarul Cooper DeJean Trophy, which goes to the top player in all classes, was awarded to Newton's&nbsp;<strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1619687' first='Caden' last='Klein']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/caden-klein/"><strong></strong><strong></strong><strong></strong></a><a></a>&nbsp;<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/caden-klein/"><strong></strong><strong></strong><strong></strong></a><a></a>&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/caden-klein/"></a>&nbsp;in mid-April. Who will be players to keep an eye on from 4A when the trophy is handed out next year?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/04/2027-cooper-dejean-trophy-candidates-5a/">2027 Cooper DeJean Trophy Candidates: 5A</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/04/2027-cooper-dejean-trophy-candidates-5a-part-2/">2027 Cooper DeJean Trophy Candidates: 5A Part 2</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/04/2027-cooper-dejean-trophy-candidates-4a/">2027 Cooper DeJean Trophy Candidates: 4A</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/04/2027-cooper-dejean-trophy-candidates-3a/">2027 Cooper DeJean Trophy Candidates: 3A</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1901425"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69e262f35fa0d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A severely overlooked recruit and one of the top running backs northeast Iowa has to offer, [player_tooltip player_id='1901425' first='Laken' last='Caves'] is primed to take over once again for Alburnett this fall. He may even lead them <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/01/iowa-2a-way-too-early-title-contenders-alburnett/">to a state title</a>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A hard runner that can slip through tackles and out-run the defense, Caves put up eye-popping stats all over the field last season for the Pirates. Leading all classes in all-purpose yards with 2,846, Caves was one of the more unstoppable players in all three phases of the game last season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>On offense, he took 235 carries for 1,880 yards and 22 scores on the ground, also finishing as his team's leading receiver, grabbing 31 receptions for 390 yards and three scores. On special teams, Caves returned 13 kicks for 417 yards and a score, adding seven punt returns for 104 yards. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Oh -- and he played defense. Finishing the year with 35 tackles and three interceptions, Caves is one of the top do-it-all athletes the state has to offer. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1197438"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69e262f35fa91"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">How fitting would it be the for the Philadelphia Eagles DB's younger brother to be nominated for the award next season?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The future tight end for the Iowa Hawkeyes, [player_tooltip player_id='1197438' first='Jaxx' last='DeJean'] dominates as a wide receiver for OABCIG thanks to his overwhelming size and athleticism that few can match in that part of the state. With the ability to cleanly break off at the top of a route and get himself wide open, go up and get a 50/50 ball, plus out-speed smaller defensive backs, DeJean is like a 7/11 -- always open. After losing the Falcons' leading rusher to graduation, one has to imagine Larry Allen's squad will lean heavily on DeJean and quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='1198827' first='Raif' last='Jensen'], as the pair will do a mixture of throwing and catching the ball, but also taking off and running it from time to time. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Last season, DeJean grabbed 36 receptions for 461 yards and six scores, adding 27 rushes for 207 yards and three touchdowns. Playing QB in one game with Jensen out, DeJean completed 14-of-21 passes for 149 yards and two scores. Defensively, he added 18.5 tackles and three interceptions. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1283377"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69e262f35faf2"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The 2A leader in sacks while also finishing with the second most in all classes, [player_tooltip player_id='1283377' first='Lucas' last='Diehl']'s monstrous size was too much for offensive linemen to handle last year. Serving as one of the cornerstone's for Kuemper's title run, Diehl finished with 14 sacks last fall. A rare DL that's in constant pursuit of the football, Diehl rarely, if ever gave up on a play, chasing down quarterbacks out of the pocket and running backs past the line of scrimmage. Often double-teamed, Diehl still would wreak havoc on opposing offenses, using violence and his devastating swim move.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As an OL, Diehl showed strong pad-level despite his size, driving back defensive linemen and completely taking them out of the play.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>If there's an OL/DL combo that has a chance to win the prestigious award, it may be Diehl. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1621099"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69e26922dcde2"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">After losing the their leading passer -- and 2A's representative at this year's CDJ awards, Brock Badding -- to graduation, Kuemper Catholic will have to revamp its offensive attack in 2026, at least to some degree.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Chances are, they'll once again lean on their leading rusher from last season, Jarin Hoffman. Standing at just 5-foot-8, Hoffman makes up for his lack of height with a sturdy, 190-pound frame that allows him to stay low to the ground and power through tackles, while also utilizing uncommon patience and his gargantuan offensive line to wait for holes to open up before he bursts through. A speedster that can find the open field and take off to out-pace the defense in addition to his escapability from the mass of bodies from the offensive line, Hoffman is one of the more overlooked -- literally and metaphorically -- players in the state.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Last season, he took 260 carries for 1,671 yards and 23 touchdowns on the ground, adding 20 receptions for 162 yards and three scores. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2075898"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69e262f35fb51"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">An all-state receiver and pass-catcher that was a primary reason Roland-Story will be a title-contender going into next season, [player_tooltip player_id='2075898' first='Luke' last='Thoreson'] grabbed a whopping 75 catches for 1,206 yards and 21 touchdowns on behalf of the Norsemen. He finished the year with the fifth-most receiving touchdowns in all classes.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Watching what he did this last season makes his volume of catches make a lot of sense. A receiver that could catch passes over the middle in tight windows, break a tackle or two and then take it to the house, Thoreson was a threat to score at almost any time for the Norsemen. A top-tier route-runner, too, Thoreson should be on more D1 radars at this point in his high school career. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1896856"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69e262f35fbac"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">One of the more prolific passers in the class last fall, [player_tooltip player_id='1896856' first='Brooks' last='Weber'] is the top returner in the class in touchdown passes thrown, and he's No. 3 amongst returning gunslingers in yards thrown from last fall. In total, the 2027 prospect completed 136-of-217 passes (62.7%) for 1,973 yards, 30 touchdowns and nine picks. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With a strong arm and the ability to make anticipatory throws, Weber can stand in the pocket, manuever to avoid pressure and send passes downfield even while taking hits. An athletic QB that has excellent placement on deep shots, Weber is a gunslinger that any team in 2A would love to have -- he just so happens to play for Mid-Prairie. Coming up just shy of Cedar Falls in 2025 after a loss to runner up Van-Meter in the quarterfinals, Weber at the Golden Hawks may be on a revenge tour this fall. If he takes another step forward in 2026, Mid-Prairie could be one of the <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/01/iowa-2a-way-too-early-title-contenders-mid-prairie/">top teams to be reckoned with in 2A</a>. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->