2022 NFL Draft Prospect Profile: OLB JoJo Domann, Nebraska

JoJo Domann is something of a unicorn--an outside linebacker with defensive back-like qualities that can make him an asset in coverage.

Author:
Nick Falato
Publish date:
Jan 27, 2022 10:32 AM EST

In this story:

New York Giants

Nebraska Cornhuskers

JoJo Domann, OLB

Height: 6’1
Weight: 230 lbs.
Class: SeniorSchool: Nebraska

A former three-star recruit out of Colorado Springs, Colorado, where he attended Pine Creek high school, Domann was a part of the 2016 recruiting class and was the second recruit in that class out of Colorado.

Domann was active in his true freshman year on special teams but had to redshirt in 2017 after suffering a knee injury in the spring; the injury required two surgeries.

Domann was a versatile player for the Nebraska defense throughout his career. He was a sixth-year senior for the Cornhuskers. He played safety and outside linebacker in 2018 before making the full-time switch to OLB in 2019.

He was having a terrific senior season through 10-games before he had season-ending surgery on his hand, specifically his middle finger. Domann is set to attend the Reese’s Senior Bowl.

Notables

Domann was a quarterfinalist for the Lott IMPACT trophy which is awarded to a defensive player who excels with on-field play, maturity, performance, academics, community, and tenacity. Domann earned Second-Team All-American honors, Second-Team All-Big-10 honors, and was on the Nagurski Trophy watch list. Domann is a true scholar-athlete who will intrigue NFL teams.

Strengths

Good athlete at LB
Excellent body control/balance
Fluid mover in space, good lateral movement skills, quick feet
Very versatile, has time at safety, and routinely covered slot receivers at apex
Has experience blitzing and at the EDGE position - a true athletic modern-day LB
Sheds with lateral agility and quick hands
Uses athletic traits and smarts to position himself well against the run
Solid at reading blocking schemes and reacting
Burst to close is very good, is not afraid to hit
Excellent hips in coverage to play man
Incredibly smart and adaptive defender
A difficult read defender in Zone Reads/RPOs

Reacts quickly and makes offenses pay

Smart in zone coverage, understands routes and offensive concepts
Former safety with DB skills on the backend
Good ball skills with impressive interceptions
PFF has him listed as a CB, where he grades 11th in the FBS in coverage
Impressive competitive toughness

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Weaknesses

Length, he isn’t tall and doesn’t have a long tackle radius
Isn’t a traditional stack & shed type of linebacker
Better in space than he is in the box, taking on blocks
Had multiple ACL surgeries
Will be 25-years-old before the start of the season

Summary

Overall, Domann is a quick modern-day linebacker who can move, cover, and makes big-time impressive tackles that pop on the highlight reel. His defensive backs instincts help him in covering tight ends and slot receivers. He will be better suited for sub-package linebacking duties, where his athletic ability will shine, but I don’t believe he is entirely relegated to that role.

Yes, his ability to take on bigger blocks isn’t his strong suit, but he doesn’t get engulfed in tight quarters; he is frequently in position, isn’t fooled, and is one of the smarter linebackers in terms of eye discipline and reactive quickness. Domann will be a versatile piece for a defensive coordinator, and a good offseason (Senior Bowl/Combine) will help his already solid draft stock.

GRADE: 6.2