He wasn’t waiving anyone off.
https://www.ktiv.com/2023/10/22/referees-say-dejeans-punt-return-touchdown-was-called-back-due-an-invalid-fair-catch-signal/
Never called for fair catch with my left hand ever. You know I was kind of just keeping my balance I guess trying to run to the ball. It’s tough. I’m still kind of in shock of what all happened. It’s frustrating for this team. We just kept fighting,” said Cooper DeJean, Iowa junior defensive back.
Comments from the Iowa coach
“I thought it started was he in bounds or out of bounds. Then we went from there, to pointing which is legal because of an errant punt. And then I was told that he was waving, and what they tell us in pregame is a wave is up here above the head. And most people when they run their arms do wave. So, if you looked at the video, it looked like he was naturally running to the football,” said Kirk Ferentz, Iowa football head coach.