Tag: Domani Jackson

Alabama football starter announces return in big boost to Crimson Tide defense

Another key starter on defense is returning to Alabama in 2025.

The Alabama Crimson Tide’s defense got some welcome news Sunday when junior cornerback Domani Jackson announced he would return for his senior season in 2025.

Jackson shared the news via Instagram.

A transfer from USC, Jackson played in 12 games for the Crimson Tide this past season. He had a game-saving interception of LaNarris Sellers to close out Alabama’s 27-25 win over South Carolina on Oct. 12 at Bryant-Denny Stadium.

For the season, Jackson had seven pass deflections, a forced fumble and two interceptions — the other of which came in the first quarter of Alabama’s 41-34 win over the Georgia Bulldogs on Sept. 28.

With Jackson back, he joins defensive lineman LT Overton and, most recently, linebackers Justin Jefferson and Deontae Lawson as defensive players to announce their returns for 2025.

Alabama showed interest in Jackson when he was coming out of Mater Dei High School in the Los Angeles area in 2021. On3 ranked Jackson as the No. 1 overall cornerback in the class of 2022. He spent two seasons at USC before transferring to Alabama in late 2023.

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USC is losing former five-star recruits at an alarming rate

We can’t ignore how many highly-touted recruits are leaving USC. It’s not the sign of a healthy program heading in the right direction.

They say that the key to building a successful program is signing lots of blue-chip recruits. That is true at USC football and other places, but it only works if the recruits actually stick around.

Perhaps no program is a bigger example of this right now than USC itself. In his first three recruiting cycles at USC, Lincoln Riley signed six players who were rated as a five-star by at least one of the four major recruiting services (247, On3, Rivals, and ESPN). Of those six, just one is still with the Trojans.

Last offseason, USC saw cornerback Domani Jackson, running back Raleek Brown, and quarterback Malachi Nelson transfer out. This year, the Trojans have lost wide receivers Zachariah Branch and Duce Robinson. (Several of them have also offered some snide comments following their departures.) Only wide receiver Makai Lemon remains with the team.

Now, each individual player had their own reasons for leaving. Some struggled to earn playing time, while others did not play well and left in search of a fresh start elsewhere.

Still, the fact that the Trojans have lost as many former highly-touted recruits as they have is an alarming sign. Clearly, Riley and his staff are struggling to develop and retain the talent that they are signing, which is a major problem.

It would be one thing if USC was continuing to win games despite the departures. But the Trojans are just 14-11 since the start of the 2023 season.

Riley and company will need to get these issues sorted out and start winning soon. Otherwise, they might not be around for much longer.

Alabama CB Domani Jackson carted to locker room after first half injury

CB Domani Jackson exits in the first half against South Carolina with a rib injury

The Alabama Crimson Tide rushed out to an early 7-0 lead against the South Carolina Gamecocks today, and it appears the defense has made some serious improvements from a week ago.

Unfortunately, the Alabama defense will likely be without CB Domani Jackson for the remainder of the day after suffering a rib injury. He was carted back to the Crimson Tide locker room mid-way through the first half after catching a knee to his rib cage.

Jackson has not officially been ruled out, but he appeared to be in a lot of pain as he exited the field. It’s a major blow to an already very thin Alabama secondary.

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Where does Phil Steele rank Alabama’s secondary ahead of 2024 season?

Alabama football lost a lot of talent in the secondary but Phil Steele remains confident in Malachi Moore and company!

In one week SEC football head coaches and some of the conference’s top players will make the trip to Dallas, Texas for the 2024 SEC media day. All eyes and ears will be on Kalen DeBoer and the Alabama Crimson Tide football program with the post-[autotag]Nick Saban[/autotag] era officially underway.

One question that is certain to be asked is what Coach DeBoer and his staff will do to replace the elite talent lost in the secondary from last season. The cornerback duo of Kool-Aid McKinstry and Terrion Arnold are now in the NFL and freshman phenom Caleb Downs opted to transfer to the Ohio State Buckeyes.

According to Phil Steele, Alabama doesn’t have much to worry about in the backend of the defense. In his preseason position rankings, Steele ranked the Crimson Tide secondary as the 10th best in the country and third in the SEC behind the Georgia Bulldogs and the Oklahoma Sooners.

While it’s true that Alabama lost plenty of star power, the Crimson Tide did a good job of replenishing its talent pool both from the high school ranks and the transfer portal.

Veteran Malachi Moore returns to lead the secondary for Alabama. The portal additions of Domani Jackson from the USC Trojans, Keon Sabb from the Michigan Wolverines, and DaShawn Jones from Wake Forest will provide the Tide with more experience entering the 2024 season.

Alabama also has a trio of five-star freshmen defensive backs who could push for playing time as well with Zabien Brown, Zay Mincey, and Jaylen Mbakwe.

Talent and experience were certainly lost in the Alabama secondary but both Coach Saban and Coach DeBeor did a fantastic job of reloading the Crimson Tide roster.

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Domani Jackson talks about USC, Alabama, Mater Dei and more

What has Domani Jackson been up to? Find out here.

Former USC Trojan defensive back Domani Jackson shared thoughts about his process and his football journey. He told “Winner Circle Athletics” what it really looks like to get held back in eighth grade, dominate in high school at Mater Dei, be a two-sport athlete, and then continue along his long and winding path. Jackson missed a season during the COVID pandemic, got multiple offers, went to USC, and transferred from USC to Alabama. He went through a lot of adversity and is attempting to become a successful college athlete.

Jackson started 11 games for the Trojans this season after playing largely on special teams as a true freshman in 2022. He finished the 2023 campaign with 33 total tackles and three pass deflections.

Jackson now fills a huge void for Alabama with the departures of cornerbacks Terrion Arnold and Kool-Aid McKinstry to the 2024 NFL draft. It will be fascinating to see how much of an impact Jackson can make for new Crimson Tide coach Kalen DeBoer.

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All incoming Alabama football freshman and transfer players numbers announced

Alabama football unveils new numbers for incoming players

The 2024 college football season is going to simply be pandemonium. From the 12-team playoffs to conference realignment to the rapidly changing NIL landscape, the sport is the Wild West right now.

For Alabama fans, that’s not even the main concern yet as we are still adapting to life post-[autotag]Nick Saban[/autotag]. It must be said that new head coach [autotag]Kalen DeBoer[/autotag] has done an outstanding job since taking over less than two months ago, but still the shock of not seeing Saban on the sideline for the first time since the 2006 season will take some getting used to.

When you lose a legend of the game, there is naturally going to be some turnover and a bit of a drop-off, but DeBoer has certainly minimized that. This new Alabama coaching staff is shaping up to be one of the better ones in recent years, the roster stayed pretty well intact and DeBoer absolutely lit it up on the recruiting trail. Now, we are getting to see some of his work come to fruition as Alabama football announced the jersey numbers of the incoming players.

Of note, Washington QB transfer [autotag]Austin Mack[/autotag] will wear No. 10, [autotag]Domani Jackson[/autotag] No. 1, [autotag]Jaylen Mbakwe[/autotag] No. 9 and [autotag]Dre Kirkpatrick Jr.[/autotag] No. 21. It is also expected that incoming phenom wide receiver [autotag]Ryan Williams[/autotag] will be wearing No. 2 for the Crimson Tide.

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Pre-Spring Position Preview: Breaking down the Alabama DBs

A closer look at the Alabama defensive backs ahead of spring practice

Before we know it, new Alabama head football coach Kalen DeBoer will hit the practice field with his Crimson Tide players for the first time when spring practice gets underway in March.

With the retirement of the legendary Nick Saban, there have not been this many question marks surrounding the football program since 2007 when Saban took over.

Contrary to popular belief, Alabama still has one of the most talented rosters in the country and should be right in the thick of the college football playoff conversation.

Roll Tide Wire will preview each position group as the anticipation builds leading up to spring practice. We will wrap our series up with the Crimson Tide defensive backs.

Domani Jackson, recruited by Alabama and Michigan along with USC, makes big choice before Rose Bowl

USC, Alabama and Michigan all recruited Domani Jackson. He left USC and chose Bama before the Rose Bowl.

Domani Jackson transferring from USC to Alabama would be interesting, and a big story, in any set of circumstances. The news is especially interesting given this particular collection of circumstances at the end of 2023.

Domani Jackson was recruited by Alabama and Michigan in addition to USC. The Trojans won his recruitment, but after Jackson transferred, Bama and Michigan were natural first options for the cornerback who was looking for a fresh start.

Jackson’s decision to go to Bama — and not Michigan — comes just a few days before Alabama faces Michigan in the 2024 Rose Bowl, a College Football Playoff semifinal.

Roll Tide Wire has more:

“With Alabama likely losing multiple starters in the secondary, Jackson could earn a starting role by the time the 2024-2025 season kicks off. Jackson adds experience and potential to a young, cornerback room.

“Jackson will join fellow Texas A&M defensive line transfer Lebbeus “LT” Overton. The two make up the Crimson Tide’s transfer portal class at the moment. The Crimson Tide will likely continue to pursue several transfers in the forseeable future. Jackson and Overton are a very good start, however.”

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Top Michigan transfer target commits to Alabama

Bummer.

Though this week is rightfully focused on the upcoming Rose Bowl, Michigan, and Alabama are competing off the field as well.

The Tide took the first victory of the week when USC cornerback Domani Jackson sided with Alabama over Michigan. Jackson is a former five-star prospect who started every game for the Trojans this year and recorded 34 total tackles along with three passes defended. Jackson’s top three schools out of high school were USC, Michigan and Alabama, so there were pre-existing ties on both sides.

This leaves a question mark on next year’s Michigan roster at the boundary corner spot. Will Johnson is the obvious star player who will lock down one of the starting spots, but the other is up for grabs. The other experienced defensive back, Ja’Den McBurrows, is expected to be the starting nickel, so it’s likely a young player will take over. Amorion Walker, Jyaire Hill and DJ Waller are the prime candidates, but it’s possible McBurrows will go to the boundary and Kody Jones slides to the slot. Either way, losing Jackson was a tough blow to the roster’s talent and depth next season.

Michigan has also been linked to UConn transfer Mumu Bin-Wahad, who could be the starter when Week 1 of next season rolls around.

Interestingly, Jackson was sighted at Alabama’s practice before his commitment went public. NCAA teams are currently in a dead period which means that there cannot be contact between staff and recruits. The timing of Jackson’s appearance at practice and his commitment certainly seem to point to a recruiting violation, but the NCAA will (or at least, should) investigate on its own. After all, they have made it clear with their feverish pursuit of Michigan’s “burger-gate” that NCAA rules are of the utmost importance to the integrity of the sport.

Alabama lands commitment from USC transfer cornerback Domani Jackson

Alabama continues to have success recruiting the transfer portal. On Thursday, the Crimson Tide landed a commitment from USC transfer cornerback Domani Jackson.

Alabama continues to have profound success in recruiting the transfer portal. On Thursday evening, the Crimson Tide landed a commitment from USC transfer Domani Jackson.

Jackson, a California native, was recruited by Alabama coming out of Mater Dei High School in Santa Ana, California. The former four-star thought highly of Alabama but ultimately chose to stay home and signed to USC.

In two seasons with the Trojans, Jackson recorded 34 tackles and four pass breakups.

With Alabama likely losing multiple starters in the secondary, Jackson could earn a starting role by the time the 2024-2025 season kicks off. Jackson adds experience and potential to a young, cornerback room.

Jackson will join fellow Texas A&M defensive line transfer Lebbeus “LT” Overton. The two make up the Crimson Tide’s transfer portal class at the moment. The Crimson Tide will likely continue to pursue several transfers in the forseeable future. Jackson and Overton are a very good start, however.

Roll Tide Wire will continue to follow Alabama football’s involvement in the NCAA transfer portal.