Sporting News is latest outlet to name Iowa’s Cooper DeJean, Tory Taylor first-team All-Americans

IOWA CITY — Iowa defensive back Cooper DeJean and punter Tory Taylor have earned first-team All-America recognition from Sporting News.

Iowa linebacker Jay Higgins is a second-team All-American.

DeJean and Taylor already have been named first-team All-Americans by the Walter Camp Football Foundation, Football Writers Association of America and Associated Press.

They can become unanimous All-Americans if the American Football Coaches Association includes them on its first team. They clinched consensus All-America status with the AP’s announcement on Monday.

Higgins was a first-team FWAA All-American and second-team honoree on the Walter Camp and AP teams.

Taylor averaged 47.9 yards per punt in 2023, breaking the Hawkeyes’ single-season record. DeJean had two interceptions, five pass breakups and one punt return for a touchdown before suffering a season-ending injury. Higgins has a Power Five-high 155 total tackles.

The AFCA is the only one of the five preeminent All-America teams yet to be announced.

Comments: john.steppe@thegazette.com