2021 NFL Draft Prospect Interview: DeJaun Cooper, LB, Monmouth University

• Name: DeJaun Cooper
• Position: LB
• College: Monmouth University 
• Height: 6′ 3″
• Weight: 230 lbs 
• Twitter: @_dcoop1

1.If your life was a tv show what would you call it and why?

If my life was a tv show it would probably be called Perseverance because just growing up moving from school to school from 3 elementary schools to 3 middle schools to 3 high schools to finally landing at northwest high school where I was able to play a lot of football earning division one scholarships.

2.What is your favorite workout?

My favorite workout in the weight room has to be some sort of legs. I love being able to move the weight with my lower body and on the field most definitely is some sort of speed workout. I believe I am a very fast linebacker and running fast in a workout is always fun.

3.What is your mindset when you are on the football field?

My mindset on the field as a linebacker is easily to be the aggressor and play fast and physical football every single play.

4.If you could hang out with any football player past or present for a day who and why?

I’m big on my body type and small school guys so probably Darius Leonard who’s an FCS guy like myself and we’re about the same height and weight. He was drafted high in the 2nd round. I choose him because I’d like to follow his footsteps to the league. Watching his NFL film session his mind is already crazy in the football classroom.

5.What do you do for fun?

I like to hang out with my teammates, friends and family. If I’m not doing that I’m probably working out or playing madden which I am really good at.

Check out NFL Draft Diamonds 2021 Small School Rankings

6.What do you hope to accomplish if you make it into the NFL?

If I make it to the NFL I hope to accomplish obviously being the best player I can be on the field but once I get my name out there more I hope to give back to my community and give kids the knowledge I needed growing up.

7.What is your favorite stadium that you have played in?

My favorite stadium(s) I played in so far have to be either Northern Iowa my true freshman year, it was the first playoff game ever in Monmouth history of Montana. Montana fans had 23k+, were very loud and I love being in a hostile environment it makes me feel the odds are against you and I love that feeling and can play better.

8.What made you decide you wanted to be a football player?

I love sports in general, being able to compete and show your abilities is fun. I remember in elementary school a flyer came in one of my classrooms and I showed my mom and the next day we signed up.

9.What has been your biggest challenge in life?

The biggest challenge in my life might have to be overcoming my 3 surgeries in my career. 1st surgery was freshman year of high school on my shoulder, 2nd sophomore year of college was a finger surgery and last once was a second shoulder surgery in the same offseason after 2018.

10.What would a team get in a player like you?

A team would get a hardworking, physical, sideline to sideline player who is a winner.

11. How has your experience as a Monmouth University Hawks football player been?

It’s been a hell of a ride. My 3 years there arriving in 2017 only losing 9 games. Playing in big games and shifting the culture, making history. Being on the first Monmouth team to make it to the playoffs, win the first playoff game in history, and winning the first big south championship. It truly is a family atmosphere.

12.If you could live anywhere in the world where and why?

It would have to be somewhere south, maybe Florida, Texas, or even Georgia. I have been living up north being from Maryland and going to school in Jersey and I like warm weather a lot. Big fan of traveling