Cooper DeJean, Tory Taylor earn 2023 Big Ten awards

IOWA CITY — Cooper DeJean and Tory Taylor have earned some significant hardware from the Big Ten. DeJean is the conference’s Defensive Back of the Year and Return Specialist of the Year, and Taylor is the conference’s Punter of the Year. DeJean had two interceptions and a 70-yard punt return for a touchdown in 2023 before suffering a season-ending injury. He nearly had a second punt return for a touchdown against Minnesota, but it was called back because of an invalid fair catch. Taylor’s 47.7 yards per punt is the...