Domani Jackson discusses return from knee injury

USC sophomore defensive back Domani Jackson is getting to experience competing in his first spring practices this year after missing out in 2022 due to his knee injury.

The opportunity is not something he is taking lightly.

“It’s a blessing,” Jackson said after a recent practice. “I’ve come a long way from last year not being able to do spring. This year, it’s been real fun.”

Jackson was one of the top recruits in the 2022 recruiting cycle. He was the nation’s No. 1 cornerback and No. 5 overall recruit in the 2022 On3 Industry Ranking. The On3 Industry is a proprietary algorithm that compiles ratings and rankings from all four major recruiting media services. The On3 Industry Ranking is the most advanced, complete and unbiased rating and ranking measurement in the industry. 

He was also one of eight players to ranked as a Five-Star Plus+ recruit.

But Jackson injured his knee in the first game of his senior season. He missed the next year recovering before playing in seven games as a reserve last year.

“Coming from a prestigious high school and coming to college and to sit on the sidelines, stuff like that, you know you could be out there,” Jackson said. “Just gotta take it slow. It was a little tough at first but it’s always good to come overcome something in your life.”

Jackson had two tackles and one pass breakup in his seven games as a backup and special teams player.

But he is in line for a bigger season this year. He is competing for a starting spot and while the room is competitive, it wouldn’t be a surprise if a player of his talent wins a starting role.

“It’s always a struggle coming off of knee surgery. Just gaining that confidence plays a big role,” Jackson said. ‘I’m real confident in my knee this year.”

The entire USC defense is set to take a step forward after its 2022 season. Head coach Lincoln Riley has already said as much this spring.

“Oh yeah, I mean, totally different. From a scheme knowledge standpoint, from a talent standpoint, especially in the front seven,” Riley said. “The competitive depth, defensively last year, there was a little bit of a sense of you had your handful of really good players, and then there was too much of a gap between those guys and everybody else. Whereas now, you’ve got some really good outstanding individual players, but the gap has closed.”