- Today
- Holidays
- Birthdays
- Reminders
- Cities
- Atlanta
- Austin
- Baltimore
- Berwyn
- Beverly Hills
- Birmingham
- Boston
- Brooklyn
- Buffalo
- Charlotte
- Chicago
- Cincinnati
- Cleveland
- Columbus
- Dallas
- Denver
- Detroit
- Fort Worth
- Houston
- Indianapolis
- Knoxville
- Las Vegas
- Los Angeles
- Louisville
- Madison
- Memphis
- Miami
- Milwaukee
- Minneapolis
- Nashville
- New Orleans
- New York
- Omaha
- Orlando
- Philadelphia
- Phoenix
- Pittsburgh
- Portland
- Raleigh
- Richmond
- Rutherford
- Sacramento
- Salt Lake City
- San Antonio
- San Diego
- San Francisco
- San Jose
- Seattle
- Tampa
- Tucson
- Washington
Newton Today
By the People, for the People
Newton's Caden Klein Wins Inaugural Cooper DeJean Award
Top Iowa high school football player honored for on-field performance and character
Apr. 13, 2026 at 8:00am
Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›
The Cooper DeJean Award celebrates the top high school football player in Iowa, honoring both athletic skill and strength of character.Newton TodayCaden Klein, a standout player from Newton High School, has been named the first-ever recipient of the Cooper DeJean Trophy, an award presented by the Iowa Football Coaches Association to recognize the state's top high school football player based on both athletic ability and strength of character.
Why it matters
The Cooper DeJean Award aims to celebrate not just athletic excellence, but also the positive impact players can have off the field through leadership and community involvement. Klein's selection as the inaugural winner highlights the importance of developing well-rounded student-athletes in Iowa's high school sports programs.
The details
Klein, a senior at Newton High School, was selected for the award after a standout season that saw him excel as both a quarterback and defensive back. In addition to his on-field accomplishments, Klein was recognized for his strong leadership skills and commitment to giving back to his local community.
- The award was presented to Klein on April 13, 2026 in Ankeny, Iowa.
The players
Caden Klein
A senior quarterback and defensive back at Newton High School, and the inaugural winner of the Cooper DeJean Trophy, an award recognizing the top high school football player in Iowa.
Cooper DeJean
The namesake of the new award presented by the Iowa Football Coaches Association to honor the state's top high school football player.
What they’re saying
“Caden Klein exemplifies what this award is all about - a player who excels both on the field and in the community. He is a true role model for young athletes in Iowa.”
— Cooper DeJean
What’s next
The Iowa Football Coaches Association plans to present the Cooper DeJean Trophy annually to recognize the state's top high school football player.
The takeaway
The creation of the Cooper DeJean Award underscores the importance of developing well-rounded student-athletes who excel not just in their sport, but also in demonstrating strong leadership and character within their communities.
