Caitlin Clark, potentially the greatest women’s basketball player ever, faces an unexpected challenge from another former Iowa athlete.

Cooper DeJean, once an Iowa cornerback and now a highly touted prospect in the NFL Draft, revealed that NFL teams frequently questioned him during the combine about his ability to defeat Clark in a one-on-one basketball match.

“I believe I could win,” DeJean stated in an interview with CBS Sports on Tuesday.

DeJean’s response surprised the interviewer, who then reminded him of Clark’s status as the former Iowa Hawkeyes superstar and the Indiana Fever’s top overall draft pick, widely hailed as the greatest women’s basketball player ever. However, DeJean’s background in basketball—a three-time letter winner at point guard in high school—could offer him an edge.

“She’d definitely score on me, no doubt, but I think I could manage,” DeJean remarked, acknowledging Clark’s impressive shooting skills. “It would be a close match, though… She’s lethal from anywhere on the court, I believe.”

DeJean’s confidence against Clark doesn’t diminish her abilities; rather, it reflects his own trust in his athletic prowess. He boasts a successful high school career as a multi-sport athlete, securing state titles in both track and football. As a sophomore, he recorded 1,000 receiving yards before leading his high school to consecutive state championships as starting quarterback, accumulating 59 touchdowns in his senior year alongside three interceptions as a defensive back.

Although DeJean initially joined Iowa as a safety, he transitioned to cornerback due to injuries within the Hawkeyes’ secondary during his freshman year. Flourishing in this new role, he intercepted seven passes, returning two for scores. DeJean’s pivotal pick-six against Kentucky in the 2022 Music City Bowl earned him the game’s MVP award.

DeJean’s versatility, one of his strengths as a football player, has created some uncertainty regarding his draft stock. While no one is doubting his status as a first-round talent, there have been questions about whether or not he would be better off moving back to safety at the next level.

Those questions don’t seem to be a concern for DeJean, who is looking to help his future team win in any way possible.

“Really, wherever the team needs me, wherever they see me at, wherever they think I can impact the game the most,” said DeJean, who has teamed up with Head & Shoulders and their Make Every Wash Count campaign. “Whatever position that is, I’m willing to do that. Obviously, I played corner most of my college career, but I feel like there’s multiple positions in a defense that I can play. I just want to trust the coaches that have been doing it for a long time and try to make an impact wherever they put me.”