Santa Ana (California) Mater Dei Junior defensive back Domani Jackson committed to USC moments ago.
Jackson, No. 3 nationally on 247Sports Composite and No. 4 on 247Sports, said the opportunity to build something special at USC was too much to pass up.
“I really think that with the USC class hired this year and the players we could get in my class, we will have a team that can compete for a National Championship,” said Jackson. “This is always the dream, to be able to compete in a championship in your city and help the local school to return to the top.
“I see the players going to the USC now, Korey (Foreman), Kyron (Ware-Hudson), Ceyair (Wright) and my class is going to be packed. That was the biggest reason I wanted to commit early, I I want to start building this class and help recruit other players, and I’m excited about who I think we’re going to make it. “
Location also played an important role for Jackson.
“I visited a few other places and it always felt good to be back home,” said Jackson. “A few weeks ago I was in Texas and while I was there, I missed being home with my family and that’s when I knew I was ready to go ahead and make my decision.
“I knew I was going to be USC for a while here and I saw no need to waste anyone’s time. Now all schools can move on and recruit other players and I don’t have to worry about recruiting, all the calls and messages. a great feeling and I’m really excited to be a Trojan. “
Jackson has always had a close relationship with USC DB coach Donte Williams, as well as the rest of the Trojans’ technical team.
“Donte is my guy,” said Jackson. “I am closer to him than any other coach. He has been recruiting me for a long time and I am very comfortable with him as a coach and as a person. He is someone I can talk to about anything, not just football stuff.
“He is also a good coach and I know he will develop and help me achieve my goals. The biggest dream for all of us is to play in the NFL and that is where I am definitely. I am graduating early, when I am a senior and my goal is to get in and be an instant impact player from day one. “
Along with the USC, Jackson’s finalists also included Arizona State, Clemson, Michigan, Ohio State and Oklahoma. The Buckeyes and Wolverines had a great buzz at different points in their recruitment and ASU was always in the mix too.
In the end, Jackson said the USC had many pros and saw no reason to leave the house.
“This is what the coaches have been talking about and it is what many players who have committed themselves have felt,” said Jackson. “The feeling, why leave home when USC has everything we could possibly want here.
“We can win a championship, put the USC back on the map and develop to reach the NFL. USC is also a great brand, a great academic school with great support and a tradition of alumni. The more I thought about it, it just made sense, so like I said, this class is going to be very special, check this out, we’re going to do great things for sure. “
Jackson, who pledged on the 23rd to honor his parents’ 24th birthday, is a player with unlimited advantages. He has a long 6-1 frame, is a very physical player and has tremendous straight line speed. If he runs on the track this year, it will not be a shock if he runs in the 10.5-100m range and was on track to do so as a sophomore before spring sports ended last year.
He is not close to reaching his full potential and can still make a big leap in his game as he improves from a technical point of view. His high rating is now based more on projection than on production, but he has a chance to develop into a true corner lock down, which he can play on Sunday for as long as he wants.