Iowa’s 2027 recruiting class just added another intriguing piece - and this one comes with a familiar last name. OABCIG (Ida Grove, Iowa) tight end Jaxx DeJean, a three-star prospect, has committed to the Hawkeyes, continuing a family legacy that’s already well-known in Iowa City.
Yes, that DeJean. Jaxx is the younger brother of Cooper DeJean, the former Iowa All-American defensive back who’s now in his second year with the Philadelphia Eagles. And while the bloodlines are there, Jaxx is carving out his own path - one that’s already turning heads at the high school level and has drawn offers from programs like Kansas State, Michigan, UAB, and UNLV.
A Versatile Athlete with a Defensive Ceiling
Jaxx DeJean isn’t your typical tight end prospect. He’s a jumbo athlete who’s done just about everything for OABCIG - lining up at wide receiver, tight end, quarterback, and defensive back. That kind of versatility makes him a fascinating developmental piece for Iowa, a program that thrives on molding multi-position athletes into impact players.
What stands out most right now is his potential on the defensive side of the ball. He’s shown a knack for creating turnovers, with nine interceptions across three varsity seasons.
His ability to read the field and position himself in coverage is already advanced for a high school player. He’s tall and moves well laterally - traits that could translate to a hybrid safety or linebacker role down the line.
Offensively, DeJean has flashed as a pass catcher, particularly in the short and intermediate areas. He’s not yet a polished route runner, but he knows how to find soft spots in coverage and make himself available. If he ends up sticking on offense, an H-back role - where Iowa has had success developing players - could be a natural fit.
Production Across the Board
DeJean’s junior season in 2025 was a showcase of just how much he can do. He caught 36 passes for 461 yards and six touchdowns, added 207 rushing yards and three more scores on the ground, and even completed 14 of 21 passes for 149 yards and two touchdowns as a part-time quarterback.
On defense, he chipped in 18.5 tackles and picked off three passes. And just for good measure, he averaged 37.8 yards per punt and 10.8 yards per punt return.
That kind of all-around production isn’t new for DeJean. As a sophomore in 2024, he was a three-phase contributor with 57 catches for 620 yards and 10 touchdowns, plus 20.5 tackles and two interceptions on defense. Even as a freshman in 2023, he made an impact with 628 total yards and 12 touchdowns, along with 28 tackles and four picks.
Simply put, the kid has been doing it all since day one.
Building the 2027 Class
With Jaxx DeJean now in the fold, Iowa’s 2027 class is starting to take shape. He joins Bettendorf four-star linebacker Gavin Stecker and Pleasantville three-star linebacker Braylon Bingham as the early building blocks of a group that already has a strong defensive identity.
For Iowa, this is a classic Hawkeye move - betting on a high-upside, multi-sport athlete with positional flexibility and a frame that can grow into something special. DeJean may not be a finished product yet, but the flashes are there. And if Iowa’s track record with developmental prospects is any indication, he’s in the right place to turn those flashes into something more.
Keep an eye on this one. The name may be familiar, but Jaxx DeJean is writing his own story - and it’s just getting started.