Coachs take: JoJo Domann

By the time they get to college some high school prospects have proven that they are true difference makers on the field. Colorado Springs (Colo.) Pine Creek linebacker JoJo Domann is one such player.

Eagles defensive coordinator Matt Wibbels, who's originally from Grand Island, Nebr., spoke with HOL.com about knowing Domann for the last four years and what a difference has made in their program.

"When he was a sophomore after our second game, we were 0-2 and not doing very well," Coach Wibbels relayed about Domann. "We decided to put in three sophomores, and he was one of them at a very difficult position on our defense to learn and we have won the next 25 games.

"So I would say that sophomore year when we won our last 12 games, and during the state championship run when he was making plays all throughout the playoffs, we knew we had something special."

There was one particular sequence of plays during the 2015 season in particular that stood out to Coach Wibbels.

"What he did in the state championship game this past year does," Coach Wibbels said. We had a series of about four plays in which he caught a ball and scored a touchdown on an unbelievable, acrobatic play. Then he kicked the extra point. Then he kicked off into the end zone. And then on the next play at their 20 yard line, they fumbled it, and then he recovered it at about the 25 and made about four people miss and he got in the end zone.

"So we ran an offensive play, two special teams plays, and a defensive play, and he scored two touchdowns and an extra point. And he also kicked off. So that shows you what he means for us."

Domann has been a jack of all trades for Pine Creek and he is a consistent playmaker every time he steps on the field, according to Coach Wibbels.

"We use him as kind of a hybrid [on defense]," Coordinator Wibbels explained. "We run a 4-2-5 and he has the ability to play both safety and outside linebacker, depending on if we play a one back or two back offensive team.

"The number one thing that he does for us is be a playmaker. We actually use him on both offense and defense. He's our leading interceptor; he's our leading receiver; he's our leading TD guy. He's just a football player.

"When you put him out on the field, he has a natural feel for reading quarterbacks, a natural feel for covering, and he has good body control. He's just one of those kids where you have to polish him, but you don't have to teach him a lot because he's got natural abilities."

The Cornhuskers plan to use Domann in a similar manner in their future defenses.

"He's actually being recruited for basically the same type of position that we use him for where he can be either a cover guy safety or get up in the box and play outside linebacker," Coach Wibbels stated. "That's kind of what his skill set matches, so that's why I think he was so heavily recruited."

There were a couple key factors that put Nebraska over the top with Domann and made him choose the Huskers' program over the other offers he had accumulated.

"I think it was a couple things," Coach Wibbels said. "I think number one was his relationship with the coaches, especially with Coach (Mike) Riley. Avery Anderson was committed to sign with Nebraska and then Bo Pelini left. When Coach Riley came out here to convince Avery to stick with his commitment, I think it showed JoJo how much he cared about kids.

"I know that Coach Riley had seen JoJo on film when he was watching Avery's film because we had those two together as safeties this last season. I think he just thought that Coach Riley was somebody that he could trust. I also think having Avery there helps because they are very good friends."

Domann's father's influence also played a role in the family's compatibility with NU.

"His father is an NFL agent and he has had several former Nebraska players over the years as clients," Coach Wibbels said. "So there's a comfort level with the school, the facilities and the fan base."

Domann had 61 total tackles, including seven for a loss, to go along with seven interceptions last year. He also had 49 receptions for 797 yards and 10 touchdowns.