2027 Cooper DeJean Trophy Candidates: 5A

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'] in mid-April. Who will be players to keep an eye on from 5A when the trophy is handed out next year?    The top returner in rushing yards (1,311), rushing yards per carry (8.5) and rushing touchdowns (17), [player_tooltip player_id='1617589' first='Stanley' last='Cooper'] could be in line for an even bigger breakout on behalf of SEP this fall.   A work horse ball-carrier that can just run over and through would-be tacklers, Cooper is a handful for opposing defenses to deal with. Either mowing dudes over, handing out a mean stiff-arm or showing off some shiftiness with a cut or two, Cooper will have a chance to put up even better numbers this fall for the Rams, who lost their D1 running back ahead of him and will have to rely on the ground game once again. Still retaining a good chunk of their offensive line, SEP will also lean heavily on what Cooper can do on the ground next fall.   Based on his film and the numbers he put up last fall, Cooper should have made our "2027s Deserving of Their First Division I Offer" series.     Fresh off receiving his first Division I offer from Western Illinois, [player_tooltip player_id='1204436' first='Mack' last='Heitland'] will be a prospect that has a chance to increase his stock in a major capacity at camps this summer. Not quite at the forefront in terms of being a Division I prospect because of his 6-foot-1, 175-pound frame, Heitlant has proved what he needs to prove on the football field. The 5A leader in passing yards (2,962) and touchdowns (28) without throwing a single interception, Heitland is a cerebral QB that makes good decisions on the field.   He loses several key pieces on the offensive side of the ball, but if he puts up some big numbers again this fall, an FCS program seeking a late add at quarterback -- or a Group of 5/Power 4 school in need of a walk-on -- could get a high-floor QB with upside that will benefit any culture he's a part of.     A quarterback that throws a tight ball and is easily a major reason why Johnston will be on title watch this fall, [player_tooltip player_id='1221251' first='Trevin' last='Helming'] is right there in the conversation with Heitland for being one of the best quarterbacks in 5A. With prototypical size, throwing motion and the ability to run, Helming is a gunslinger that has command of the Dragon offense as much as anyone in the CIML.   Completing 130-of-213 passes (61%) for 1,895 yards, 20 touchdowns and just three picks, Helming is a quick decision-maker that can throw strikes, and if he racks up stats early on in the season, he'll be one to watch when it comes time to hand out this award.     One of the more dynamic playmakers in the state, [player_tooltip player_id='1105157' first='Christopher' last='Ford'] would be an almost perfect player to receive the Cooper DeJean trophy. A returner who took back not just one, but two kickoffs back for touchdowns, while adding two interceptions plus 99 yards receiving and a score through the air in ONE game, Ford is as elusive as they come. One of the players in the state that can make just about anybody miss, Ford is a threat to score every time he touches the rock in all three phases of the game.   Last season, he finished the year with 39 catches for 661 yards and four touchdowns through the air, 47.5 tackles, those two picks and a forced fumble defensively. After the two returns for scores, he didn't get near as many opportunities on special teams, but he finished the year with eight kick returns for 387 yards and three scores, plus nine punt returns for 228 yards and two touchdowns.     A surprise standout last season on behalf of Iowa City West, it wasn't even guaranteed that [player_tooltip player_id='600173' first='Reece' last='Wheeler'] would start a game for the Trojans last season. Then he finished the year with the fifth-most touchdowns in 5A. All-in-all, he finished his junior campaign by completing 122-of-201 passes (60.7%) for 2,280 yards, 22 touchdowns and just five interceptions. A dual-threat QB, he also took 77 carries for 213 yards and four touchdowns on the ground.   Wheeler navigates the pocket well, can escape and avoid pass-rushers, keeps his eyes down field and can throw on the run, making him a difficult QB for opposing defenses to prepare for. He's also got a quick release, that allows him to fire the ball before a defensive back even knows it's in the air.   With the Trojans losing an uber-talented class, this coming fall will be a true test for the 2027 gunslinger.

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 will be players to keep an eye on from 5A when the trophy is handed out next year?