Lincoln Riley reveals conversation at the moment five-star Domani Jackson committed to USC

Newly anointed USC Trojans’ head coach Lincoln Riley landed a massive commitment from five-star plus cornerback Domani Jackson on Friday. While Jackson was originally committed to the Trojans for a very long time, he decommitted on Nov. 14 and began considering other options like Alabama. The Mater Dei (Santa Ana, California) star ultimately decided to stick with the Trojans. In Friday’s Early Signing Day press conference, Riley discussed what the conversation was like with his five-star plus cornerback when he let the coaching staff know the good news.

“He just called us and told us. I don’t know if it was anything overly dramatic. Obviously we were thrilled that he had chosen this place. [I was] probably the most excited of just how when he did call us to tell us, how all in he was,” Riley said.

“I mean, there was zero hesitation. This is where he wants to be. This is where his family wants him to be. He has total belief and shares our vision about what this place could be. And that’s what you want. Whether it’s a guy you’re signing, whether it’s a current player on this team,” he said.

There has to be a shared vision. And there has to be a crazy, dedicated belief within everybody that if we all work together—we can get this done. And Domani certainly adds to that,” he said.

The hiring of Lincoln Riley by USC helped swing Jackson back in favor of the Trojans. Jackson visited the USC campus the two weekends leading up to the Early Signing Period.

Domani Jackson Scouting Summary

On3 Director of Scouting Charles Power wrote the following on Jackson as a prospect:

Has the best combination of size and long speed among the cornerbacks in the 2022 cycle. Tied the California state record in the 100 meters as a junior, running a posting 10.25 second mark in the state finals at 6-foot-1, 180 pounds. A technically-sound, smooth mover who has been well-coached at one of the nation’s top high school programs. Is battle-tested against top wide receivers playing against nationally-ranked high school teams on a regular basis. Has considerable make-up speed to close the gap when he is out of phase. As a defense-only player, he’s still a work in progress when it comes to instincts and ball-tracking skills. Missed the majority of his senior season after tearing his ACL in Mater Dei’s first game.

According to the On3 Consensus, a complete and equally weighted industry-generated average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies, Jackson is the No. 3 overall player in the country. He is ranked as the nation’s top cornerback and top player from the state of California. 

Jackson is one of four players in the 2022 cycle considered a Five Star Plus+ player, prospects that are rated as five-stars by all four major recruiting services. The other three are Suwanee (Ga.) Collins Hill athlete Travis Hunter, Powell (Tenn.) High defensive lineman Walter Nolen, Frisco (Texas) Liberty wide receiver Evan Stewart.

On3’s Hayes Fawcett also contributed to this report.