Friday Feature #6: Domani Jackson
Alabama under Kalen DeBoer has been one of the more intriguing teams of the 2025 CFB season. From a Week 1 debacle in Tallahassee to now being on a tear in the SEC, they always leave you on the edge of your seat. Former 5-star CB, Domani Jackson’s tape is a little like that. You’re never quite sure what you’re gonna get, but when it’s on, he looks every bit an NFL DB. Check out my detailed scouting report on Jackson below:
Background & Measurables
Name: Domani Jackson
Year: Senior
Size: 6’1, 196 pounds
Position/Scheme Fit: Boundary zone corner in a 4-3 defense
Jackson was a 5-star recruit and among the best overall players in the nation out of Mater Dei HS in California back in 2022. He was the #2 CB and #1 player in the football stronghold of California, only ranked behind Travis Hunter nationally, according to 247 Sports. He committed to the USC Trojans over, ironically, the Alabama Crimson Tide.
He played his first two seasons at USC, playing in 18 combined games for the Trojans, while taking a leap in 2023 to a starting role. He recorded 28 tackles to go with four pass breakups across his time at USC. After the 2023 season, he entered the transfer portal as the #7 CB and joined his previous suitor as a recruit, Alabama.
In 2024, he immediately stepped in at one of the cornerback spots, starting all 13 games. He totalled 52 tackles, including two for loss, to go with a forced fumble and one quarterback hurry. He also got his hands on the ball more and contributed seven pass breakups and a pair of interceptions with 45 yards on the returns.
He returned to Alabama despite having Day 2 grades to join a stacked Crimson Tide defense, which returned 8 defensive starters from 2024. He has had an up-and-down season thus far, not allowing a reception through 3 weeks but being picked on a bit against Georgia and Tennessee.
Detailed Scouting Report
Strengths
1. As you'd expect from a 5-star recruit, he has all the physical tools for an outside corner. Good length and athleticism for the position, and should tick all the physical boxes NFL scouts look for.
2. Flashes excellent bump and run coverage skills. Can match receivers stride for stride on outside releases and has enough speed and understanding of angles to force the receiver off the red line.
3. Has shown some real ball skills. Had 2 INTs and 5 PBUs in 2024, and while it’s been a slow start in that regard in 2025, it is overall an area of strength for him. Has some return ability as well once he gets the ball in his hands.
4. Has played some box safety and FS for the Crimson Tide, showing his versatility. Alabama likes to rotate its DBs around the formation in the Kane Wommack defense, and he may wind up playing at Safety at some stage in his career.
5. Solid deep speed to be able to hang with the majority of receivers or convert to deep safety. Good over long distances and never seems to allow too much separation on intermediate and deep routes.
Development Points
1. Has not had a good start to the 2025 season. Has seen his snap counts plummet from 62 in Week 1 vs FSU down to only 22 snaps vs Missouri in Week 7. Got burned on a double move for a big TD vs Georgia, so he needs to show more to remain a top draft prospect.
2. Allows inside releases too easily in man coverage. Needs to work harder and play with more physicality inside 5 yards to force receivers off their stem and not allow catches over the middle
3. Doesn't really set the boundary in the run game. Has some weird misses, where his tackling fundamentals are poor. Dips his head low into tackles, allowing extra yards for hard runners. Also takes some bad angles and lets the runner get to the sideline around him too easily.
4. Can get a little grabby at times, particularly when receivers look to burn past him on posts or go balls. 2 penalties vs FSU and Tennessee were impactful, and he had another 3 back in 2024.
Conclusion
Jackson has had an interesting start to the 2025 season, with some real inconsistency in his performances, which he was called out for by his coach after the Missouri game. His tackling has improved in 2025, but it is not a real strength of his game, although the speed and ball skills are there. He could get some looks at Safety, where he has shown a bit during his time with the Crimson Tide. Overall, Jackson could hear his name called early on Day 3 with a strong finish to the season.
Grade: 6.1/9.0 (4th round grade)
Player Comp: Jason Marshall Jr.
Team Fits: Bills, Cowboys, Falcons