2027 Cooper DeJean Trophy Candidates: Class A

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 Class A 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>    Finishing with the third-most touchdowns and the most passing scores in Class A last season, [player_tooltip player_id='2048882' first='Eli' last='Harpenau'] was one of, if not the top signal-caller in the class as a junior last season.   In total, the 2027 gunslinger completed 109-of-172 passes (63.4%) for 1,983 yards, 29 touchdowns and 10 interceptions in 2025, also taking 114 carries for 447 yards and ten scores, making him the most productive returning QB in the class come next season.   Losing a good chunk of his weapons from MMCRU's run to the state championship in the fall, Harpenau will have an opportunity to show that he can make plays for others, even if he has new teammates to toss the rock to in 2026. His play as a junior is why the Royals will still have a shot at the title again this coming season.     An overlooked playmaker in the class -- overlooked to the point that he probably should've been included in the 2027s that deserve their first Division I offer (I'll take the blame for that one) -- [player_tooltip player_id='1197475' first='Jayden' last='Lloyd'] was one of the top pass-catchers in Class A last fall.   Finishing his junior campaign with the second most receiving yards in Class A and the most returning for next season, Lloyd was a speed demon that few defenses could stop. Leading Woodbury Central in receptions with 49 and yards with 785, Lloyd served as QB, [player_tooltip player_id='1621129' first='Jackson' last='Verschoor']'s safety net through the air, and a recruit the Wildcats knew they could go to if they needed a big play. Adding 23.5 tackles and four interceptions on defense, Lloyd's future may be at defensive back, but his stardom is all over the field for Woodbury Central.   Also a return specialist, Lloyd brought back nine kicks for 158 yards and 14 punts for 286 yards. If he returns a few of those to the house, it'll be tough to keep him out of the conversation for this award.     Speaking of speedsters.   [player_tooltip player_id='1925483' first='Braylon' last='Lopez'] was one of the most impactful gadget guys in the state this last fall, making plays almost every time he touched the football. As a running back, receiver, return man and defensive back, Lopez did just about everything for one of the best small school programs in northwest Iowa, leading the Falcons to yet another appearance in the UNI-Dome last fall.   In total Lopez took 152 carries for 1,336 yards and 13 scores, caught 43 receptions for 756 yards and six touchdowns, finished with 30 tackles and two picks and returned five kicks for 281 yards and three touchdowns. Put all of that together, and Lopez finished fifth in all classes with 2,401 all-purpose yards. The 2027 ATH just makes plays, and he makes plays more than most. With numbers like that, it's awfully difficult to keep him out of arms reach of the CDJ Trophy.     A dual-threat QB for another perennial powerhouse program in eastern Iowa, [player_tooltip player_id='2114444' first='Will' last='Sommerfelt'] is second amongst returning juniors in touchdowns scored from last fall. He completed 68-of-135 passes (54.4%), for 819 yards, 15 touchdowns and nine interceptions through the air, also taking 116 carries for 881 and 14 touchdowns. Sommerfelt is a threat to make a play on the ground and through the air, making opposing defenses be prepared for him to take off and run, but also beat them over the top.   With a quick release, the leg speed to get to the edge of the defense and take off up the sideline, plus the ability to make plays off script while keeping his eyes downfield makes Sommerfelt an awfully difficult QB to prepare for.   Defensively, he put together 20 tackles, three interceptions and a pick-six.     Putting two players from the same program on this list without reaching the UNI-Dome the season prior is a bit of a rarity. With a good chunk of Class A's talent moving on, that leaves the door wide open for title hopefuls, Woodbury Central to sneak two of their top playmakers into the conversation.   Verschoor, like Sommerfelt, is a dual-threat gunslinger for the Wildcats. As a junior this fall, the 6-foot, 205-pound QB completed 148-of-265 passes (55.8%) for 2,178 yards 13 touchdowns and eight picks, finishing as the Class A leader in passing by almost 200 yards. He also took 92 carries for 342 yards and 12 scores, forcing opponents to account for what he could do through the air and on the ground.   A tall signal-caller that can see over the defense, launch it deep to weapons like Lloyd and plow over would be tacklers in the run game, Woodbury Central is an early Class A title favorite, largely because of players like Verschoor and his weapons on the outside.

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 Class A when the trophy is handed out next year?