Newton Senior Caden Klein Honored at Cooper DeJean Trophy Presentation

Klein recognized as Iowa's Class 4A Player of the Year for 2025 season.

Apr. 11, 2026 at 3:56pm

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A cubist-style painting depicting a high school football player in action, with their movements and form broken down into sharp, overlapping geometric shapes and planes in a vibrant color palette.The Cooper DeJean Trophy honors Iowa's top high school football players, celebrating their athletic prowess and leadership on the field.Ankeny Today

Newton High School senior Caden Klein will be honored on Sunday in Ankeny, Iowa, as the recipient of the inaugural Cooper DeJean Trophy, presented by the Iowa Football Coaches Association as the Class 4A Player of the Year for the 2025 season. Klein was selected based on his standout performance, character, and passion for the game.

Why it matters

The Cooper DeJean Trophy is a new award established to recognize the top high school football player in each class in Iowa, with the overall winner selected from the class representatives. This prestigious honor will shine a spotlight on Klein's exceptional achievements both on and off the field.

The details

During the 2025 season, Klein led the Newton Cardinals to the Class 4A semifinals. He had 21 rushing touchdowns, 21 passing touchdowns, 940 rushing yards, and 1,835 passing yards. On defense, he recorded 45 solo tackles, 4 tackles for loss, and 2 sacks.

  • The inaugural Cooper DeJean Trophy presentation will take place this Sunday, April 13, 2026, in Ankeny, Iowa.

The players

Caden Klein

A senior at Newton High School who was named the Class 4A Player of the Year for the 2025 season by the Iowa Football Coaches Association.

Cooper DeJean

A former University of Iowa standout and a starter for the 2025 Super Bowl Champion Philadelphia Eagles, who will personally present the trophy named after him.

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What’s next

The winner of the overall Cooper DeJean Trophy will be announced at the award ceremony on Sunday.

The takeaway

Caden Klein's selection as the Class 4A Player of the Year is a testament to his exceptional talent, leadership, and character on the football field. The new Cooper DeJean Trophy will help shine a spotlight on the top high school players in Iowa and their contributions to the sport.