LOUISVILLE — University of Iowa junior defensive back Cooper DeJean and Iowa State wide receiver Jaylin Noel have been named to the Paul Hornung Award Watch List. The award is given annually to the most versatile player in major college football. The announcement was made on Thursday by the Louisville Sports Commission.

The award, which is in its 14th year, recognizes and rewards versatile, high-level performers in major college football.

DeJean (6-foot-1, 209 pounds) was a first-team All-Big Ten selection by the media and second team by the coaches in 2022 after finishing with 75 tackles, five interceptions and eight pass breakups. He set Iowa’s single season record with three pick 6’s in 2022. He also averaged a team-best 16.5 yards on 10 punt returns a year ago.

The Odebolt, Iowa, native was voted the 2022 Music City Bowl Most Valuable Player after notching seven tackles (six solo), including one for loss, and notching a 14-yard pick-6 against Kentucky. DeJean was named the Rose Bowl Defensive Player of the Week versus Wisconsin (Nov. 12, 2022) after totaling 10 tackles (seven solo), including one for loss, and returning an interception 32 yards for a score. He was the recipient of Iowa’s Reggie Roby Special Teams Award (overall) and Team Hustle Award (defense) last season.

Noel was second on Iowa State with 60 receptions for 572 yards and three touchdowns last season. He logged seven games with at least six receptions and ranked fourth in the Big 12 with 5.0 receptions per game.

The Kansas City, Mo. native also rushed three times for 47 yards, including a long of 27 yards. Noel was active on special teams as well, returning 11 punts for 56 yards and 14 kick returns for 237 yards.