Before he established himself at the professional level, Philadelphia Eagles defensive back Cooper DeJean was a superstar for the Iowa Hawkeyes. DeJean was primarily an outside cornerback, but he also played the cash/hybrid DB positions, and was also was a very dangerous punt returner.
He was in Iowa City during some of the leanest years of the Brian Ferentz offenses, so having DeJean to sometimes get them six points off of special teams was a huge difference maker for those teams. In the late 2010s and early 2020s, Iowa's special teams and defense simply just had to be a critical component of the formula to score points. DeJean was a second round pick (40th overall) in 2024, and he was first team All-Pro last season.
In redshirt junior Zach Lutmer, Iowa has another star player at the cash position, who is set to return punts. Lutmer, whose versatility is a major asset, will shift over to free safety this year, and take over the punt returning duties from the departed Katen Wetjen.
Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz has not exactly compared Lutmer to DeJean, but he has pointed out their similarities.
"Cooper gave me a lot of knowledge my freshman year and helped me out in a lot of different ways," Lutmer said at Media Day.
"But at the same time, we're different players. Like we have a lot of different qualities and stuff like that. (I'm) just trying to go out there and be the only Zach Lutmer."
Lutmer is projected to be the opening day starter at punt returner while running back Brevin Doll is slated to be the first choice kick returner.
"I'm hoping that they choose me to to return some punts and see what I can do with the ball in my hands," Lutmer said.
"Whatever I can do to help the team with field position and stuff like that because it's super important."
Lutmer currently projects as a middle of the third round prospect, but if he has a big year, in two different phases of the game, he can easily work his way into round two conversation.
He discussed his new position:
"I like playing free safety because it helps me see the whole offense and what they're trying to do. And when you watch a lot of film, you're able to pick up on certain things that you necessarily couldn't see at cash, because you're up close to the line and you can't see the whole formation."
This article originally appeared on Draft Wire: Iowa DB Zach Lutmer to draw even more Cooper DeJean comparisons
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