2027 Cooper DeJean Trophy Candidates: 8-Man

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 8-Man 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>   <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/04/2027-cooper-dejean-trophy-candidates-1a/">2027 Cooper DeJean Trophy Candidates: 1A</a>   <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/04/2027-cooper-dejean-trophy-candidates-class-a/">2027 Cooper DeJean Trophy Candidates: Class A</a>    One of the most prolific receivers in recent memory to come out of Iowa, especially the 8-man ranks, [player_tooltip player_id='1197458' first='Landon' last='Blum'] has been nothing but dominant for Woodbine the last three years.   With the most receiving touchdowns in all classes, the Penn State commit was flat-out unguardable at the 8-Man level, anywhere in, near, or around the endzone. An X-receiver at the next level, Blum could do anything he wanted all season long, whether it was takig a slant over the middle to the endzone, out-running the defense on a go-route or simply playing "go up and get it" ball. His long, bounding strides and strong hands made him a tough cover in all facets of being a pass-catcher, and his plans to play for the Nittany Lions have him set up for a bright future.   In total, he finished his junior campaign with 60 catches for 1,049 yards and the aforementioned 24 scores. Also playing a bit of defensive back, Blum totaled 11.5 tackles, a sack, three pass-breakups (PBUs) and two interceptions. If he holds his own defensively and maybe returns a few punts and kicks, he could be in the thick of the running for the award.     A dominant, explosive player in a small package, Trevyon Herron was one of the key pieces for Gladbrook-Reinbeck in their run to the UNI-Dome this last fall. A playmaker in every sense of the word, the 5-foot-8 and 160-pound ATH did it all for the Rebels -- and he'll more than likely do the same, or similar in 2026.   Finishing with the third-most touchdowns and all-purpose yards amongst juniors last season in 8-Man, Herron served as a receiver, returner and running back for GR. A prospect that could take a run that looked like a short gain and, somehow, escape from the masses of bodies on the interior and break off a big run for a touchdown -- and do the same on a screen pass -- Herron was a threat to score every time he touched the ball during his junior campaign.   Finishing the year with 100 carries for 1,278 yards and 26 touchdowns, plus 19 catches for 264 yards and five scores as a receiver. Oh, and he finished the season as the team's leading tackler. Grabbing 83.5 tackles, plus 15 tackles-for-loss (TFLs), 4.5 sacks, forcing four fumbles, recovering three (and returning one those for a touchdown) and grabbing four interceptions (three of which were returned for touchdowns), Herron was one of the more impactful players in the state on both sides of the ball.     With the [player_tooltip player_id='1242287' first='Tate' last='Foertsch']-era coming to a close following Bishop Garrigan's comeback win over Woodbine in the 8-Man state title game last fall, someone will have to take over under center for the Golden Bears. It's no guarantee, but [player_tooltip player_id='2117356' first='Michael' last='Joyce'] sure looks the part after finishing the year as Foertsch's leading receiver each of the last two seasons.   On last year's state championship squad, Joyce grabbed 29 receptions for 494 yards and eight scores as a receiver. He added 29 tackles and five interceptions, including a pick-six on defense. Like the rest of the group, Joyce also helped out on special teams, returning ten kicks for 324 yards and two scores.   If there's anyone that can help carry on the legacy of the Golden Bears' winning ways, it may be Joyce by way of a position change. An elusive runner and one of the best athletes at BG, Joyce may carry the torch at QB, or keep it rolling at WR. A tall, lanky athlete that saw the court as a PG for the state-qualifying basketball squad, a position change to QB could make a lot of sense for he and the reigning 8-Man state champs.     The state-leader in touchdowns scored last season (without an appearance in the UNI-Dome), [player_tooltip player_id='1197463' first='Nolan' last='Kriegel'] was the most prolific offensve player in the state last fall. A quarterback/defensive back hybrid for Iowa Valley, Kriegel scored in every way possible and leading the Tigers to double-digit wins in every game until an upset loss in the quarterfinals to Audubon.   In total, Kriegel finished the year completing 35-of-55 passes (63.6%) for 788 yards, 13 touchdowns and just one pick, but on the ground is where he really shined. Taking 182 carries for 1,944 yards, Kriegel scored a whopping 43 rushing touchdowns in 11 last season, the most in all classes. He added three catches for 87 yards and two touchdowns, just for good measure. Defensively, he put together 28 tackles, 12 TFLs and one 20-yard pick-six. As a returner, he brought back four kicks for 152 yards and two scores.   A player that simply has a knack for reaching the endzone, Kriegel's numbers are reminiscent of what DeJean was able to do at OABCIG back in the day. If he and the Tigers can capture a state tile in his final year of high school ball, that will only help his case.     Another runner with freak numbers on the ground in 2025, [player_tooltip player_id='1621106' first='Nathan' last='Moon'] is the type of running back that will run through someone's face, given the opportunity. He had plenty of opportunities last fall.   Finishing the season with the second-most rushing scores in all classes (only behind Kriegel), and the second-most rushing yards in all classes, Moon was a force to be reckoned with -- or avoided by tacklers -- on the gridiron. One of the hardest running backs in the state, and especially in 8-Man, Moon is the type of ball-carrier that runs as hard as he can every single time he touches the rock. A "We really have to keep trying to tackle this guy?" kind of runner.   With an Energizer Bunny-like motor, Moon took 250 carries for 2,268 yards and 41 touchdowns on the ground, also tossing five touchdown passes from the QB position. On defense, he added 20.5 tackles and four TFLs, while returning five kicks for 87 yards and a score on special teams.

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 8-Man when the trophy is handed out next year?