2027 Cooper DeJean Trophy Candidates: 5A Part 2

The inaugarul Cooper DeJean Trophy, which goes to the top player in all classes, was awarded to Newton's [player_tooltip player_id='1619687' first='Caden' last='Klein']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/caden-klein/"></a> in mid-April. Who are five more prospects to keep an eye on from 5A when the trophy is handed out next year?   <a href="http://2027 Cooper DeJean Trophy Candidates: 5A">2027 Cooper DeJean Trophy Candidates: 5A</a>    Why not take a shot in the dark? Well, it's not really in the dark, per se.   Under Scott Chandler, quarterbacks out of Iowa City Liberty have been amongst the best in the state. Just this year, [player_tooltip player_id='1552779' first='Reece' last='Rettig'] was nominated for the award, along with taking home All-State honors for the second year in a row. The Lightning under the former NFL tight end have been incredible offensively year in and year out.   Next season, they'll likely have [player_tooltip player_id='2085086' first='Emerson' last='Berner'] as their starter -- he'll be in the role for the first time in his fourth year of high school ball. Though we haven't seen much of the 6-foot-2 and 180-pound gunslinger to this point in his career, Berner was stellar in his the limited snaps he got against Dowling Catholic in the state championship game this fall, finishing 8-of-12 for 54 yards and throwing a perfect ball to [player_tooltip player_id='1617593' first='Pryor' last='Reiners']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/pryor-reiners/"></a> , that went just off his finger tips, but was perfectly layered over two Dowling defensive backs. Berner has the traits -- and a full offseason with Reiners to get throws like that right -- to be the next great QB for Liberty. If he's that, he should be in the thick of this conversation.     A Power 4 recruit with offers from the likes of Arizona, Michigan State, Minnesota, Purdue and others, [player_tooltip player_id='1198829' first='Kason' last='Clayborne'] is one of the better linebackers the state has to offer. A violent, fluid athlete that pursues ball-carriers from sideline-to-sideline, possesses a strong base that he uses to explode through tackles, along with using his long frame to rush quarterbacks off-the-edge, Clayborne has the physical tools and smarts to rack up major stats for the Sioux City East defense.   Putting together 51 tackles, 10.5 tackles-for-loss (TFLs) and an interception, Clayborne is a versatile weapons defensively. Pair his numbers as a receiver, where he grabbed 27 receptions for 302 yards and six scores, and the two-way prospect has the potential to do enough on both sides to take home the award next season.     Somehow still without his first Division I offer despite putting up monster stats the last two seasons, [player_tooltip player_id='1204437' first='Jordon' last='Green'] is a threat to make a big play both as a pass-catcher and as a returner. Between his sophomore and junior campaigns with the Wolves, Green has led Waukee Northwest in receptions, receiving yards and touchdowns -- all while on the same team and sharing the same position with Iowa-bound receiver, [player_tooltip player_id='1295632' first='Isaiah' last='Oliver'].Between the fall of 2024 and 2025, he caught 113 passes for 1,859 yards and 23 touchdowns.   A deep threat that can go up and get a pass with his excellent ball skills, Green has put in the work to work cohesively in the passing game with his quarterback, fellow name to watch for the award, [player_tooltip player_id='1204436' first='Mack' last='Heitland']. One can see in his film that the pair have a shared timing that few other QB-WR duos in the state possess, as Heitland can drop back and put it exactly where his receiver will go get it, as Green has fully earned the trust of his quarterback. As a returner, Green uses his open-field speed and vision to out run the return coverage.     A name that had to be on this list after his transfer from Regina Catholic to City High, [player_tooltip player_id='1197445' first='Savion' last='Miller'] is the No. 1 running back in the class of 2027 for a reason. A dynamic runner that can juke out defenders, plow through would-be tacklers, keep his balance after taking a few hits and make plays out of the backfield as a pass-catcher, Miller is one of the better all-around backs the state has seen in recent memory.   Holding offers from Miami (FL), Minnesota, Missouri, West Virginia and others, Miller has a chance to improve his recruiting stock even more this fall if he can replicate or improve his production from last season, now with the Little Hawks. Having two Division I offensive linemen upfront should help, and he'll have a chance to help City High bounce back this fall.   Last season, he took 127 carries for 1068 yards and 16 touchdowns on the ground, adding 16 receptions for 338 yards and nine scores.     A stout defender that immediately stood out as a prospect Seth Wallace and Iowa would love, the Hawkeye commit is a future Mike linebacker in Iowa City. Long and tough as nails, Stecker racks up tackles on tackles for Bettendorf as just the latest stud linebacker to come out of the eastern Iowa program.   A read-and-react backer that put up 77 tackles last season for the Bulldogs, Stecker has some upside as a pass-catcher or a runner, that could certainly add to his value for Bettendorf during his senior campaign. If he's one of the players in the state that racks up 100+ tackles, plus grabs some passes or handles some of the offensive load on the ground, he'll be a name that could easily fit into the conversation for this award.

The inaugarul Cooper DeJean Trophy, which goes to the top player in all classes, was awarded to Newton's Caden Klein Caden Klein 5'10" | 175 lbs | ATH Newton | 2026 State IA in mid-April. Who are five more prospects to keep an eye on from 5A when the trophy is handed out next year?