In 2020 JoJo Domann started all eight games at outside linebacker and was a leader for the Nebraska Cornhuskers, earning honorable-mention All-Big Ten accolades. The senior led Nebraska with 58 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, five pass breakups, two forced fumbles and one fumble recovery. He posted a career high in tackles despite the shortened season. In this interview Domann talks about the most challenging time in his life and shares what we can expect from the Cornhuskers in 2021. Furthermore the linebacker reveals how stressful a day in a life of a college football player really is.
USD: Thank you for your time, JoJo! Let us talk about your high school experience. You went to Pine Creek High School and were a star there. What was your favorite high school football moment?
Domann: My favorite high school experience was winning two state titles my sophomore and junior year. In my senior year I won the "Colorado Gatorade Player of the Year"-Award which represented my work and my dedication to being the best I can be.
USD: You were ranked as the top player in the state of Colorado. Did that ranking pressured you a lot?
Domann: It did not pressure me a lot; the ranking was definitely a proud moment. I remember thinking in ninth grade that I was the best player in Colorado and dedicated the next three years to prove it.
USD: We talked about your high school experience already. You played on both sides of the ball exceptionally well. As a junior you had 49 receptions for 797 yards and 10 touchdowns, while also rushing for 205 yards and one touchdown. Why did you stick to the defense?
Domann: That is true. During high school I never came off the field. I scored touchdowns then kicked the extra point, kicked off and played defense. I love scoring touchdowns and making defenders miss, but defense is the more instinctual side of the ball. I also thought that this would be where I could make the biggest impact on the game at the next level.
USD: Besides Nebraska you also visited Colorado and had numerous offers including Arizona State, California, Colorado, Illinois, North Carolina and Virginia. Why did you choose Nebraska?
Domann: I chose Nebraska because I believed it provided the most unique opportunity to succeed on and off the field. The tradition and how much football means to the people of Nebraska was what I was looking for as well.
USD: You were born in Colorado. After high school you left the state and moved to Nebraska. What helped you to get through the time?
Domann: It was very important to find the right people. Finding the right people and teammates to surround myself with was the most influential aspect of the transition.
USD: Walk us through a day as a Nebraska football player.
Domann: We wake up around 6am, followed by a couple of hours of workouts during the strength and conditioning periods in the winter and the summer. During spring camp, we are at the stadium from 7am-12pm and back for an hour in the evening. In between the practices I am focusing on my school work and recovery.
USD: In 2016, your freshman year, you played in every game, primarily on special teams. You then missed the entire 2017´season. How hard was this time for you?
Domann: Playing as a true freshman was a blessing in disguise. I felt physically and mentally at a disadvantage what really took me out of my comfort zone. It was hard to play against guys that are three or four years older than me but it also pushed me in all the right ways. After my freshman year I got injured and had rehab for 18 straight months which broke me down to another level I had never experienced before. Without football, I was in search of a deeper meaning and my true identity. Who was I? What was Johansen Dommans´ real purpose? Through constant communication and full surrender, I discovered that I am a child of God placed on earth to glorify his kingdom with the gifts and talents I have been blessed with. To break barriers and bring people together. To inspire people to always pursue the highest version of themselves. To be a vessel of light in a dark world. To stand up for what is right when it is popular to do what is wrong. Even though it was the most challenging time in my life up to that point, it refined me. I got in touch with who Johansen is and what he came to do. I started to realize that life was happening for me, not to me.
USD: In 2018, your sophomore season, you played both, safety and outside linebacker and started your first games. Name three features each a linebacker and a safety need to have.
Domann: Linebackers need to be relentless and need to chase the ball down from sideline to sideline. They need to be instinctual and need to have an idea what the offense is trying to do. Furthermore they need to understand the defenses assets and liabilities and how the offense might try to attack you. Safeties are the last line of defense and need to be patient and anticipators. It is necessary to understand the progressions of the quarterback, the route concepts and the assets and liabilities of coverages.
USD: Interesting. What position do you personally prefer?
Domann: I have been playing as a nickelback which is the combination of a linebacker and a safety. Playing both positions growing up groomed me to be able to play a position that needs the best of both positions.
USD: Describe your playing style in five words.
Domann: Anticipation, controlled aggression, ball hawk, explosive, savvy.
USD: From 2019 on you made the full time switch to linebacker and were a starter from then on. While 2019 was already a career-year, your 2020´ season was even better. Describe your college experience and your development so far.
Domann: Development is necessary to master any craft. If deep down, I would have given up on myself, when I was injured or at any other low point in my life, I would have never had the strength to continue to fight in pursuit of success. I used adversity as time to consciously determine who I am and who I want to be and to chose to live like I was who I wanted to be, regardless of the circumstances.
USD: Throughout your career you played against tough opponents. However, who was the hardest team you faced so far?
Domann: In 2016 we played against the Ohio State Buckeyes. They were the fastest team I have ever seen. Curtis Samuel went beast mode against us.
USD: You will return to Nebraska. What can we expect from the Cornhuskers in 2021?
Domann: The Cornhuskers are all in on 2021. You can expect a physical stout defense that emphasizes taking the ball away and a special teams unit that plays every play hard. Nebraska will be a team that creates momentum and knows how to win.
USD: If you could give three pieces of advice to young players that chase their own collegiate career, what would they be?
Domann: 1. Master the fundamentals! 2. Always look for innovative ways to get better. Sports like tumbling/ gymnastics, jujitsu, track and yoga help you a lot! 3. Validate yourself without the offers. Chase what you think it takes to be successful with all your heart day by day. You can not cheat on the process. Let your work ethic speak for itself!
USD: Do you have a favorite player?
Domann: My three favorite players of all time are Brian Dawkins, Ed Reed and Peyton Manning.
USD: Let us talk about your personal life, if you do not mind: You volunteered your time with Make-A-Wish, a Day of Service, the Nebraska Football Road Race and local hospital visits. Do you have a favorite moment of your voluntary visits?
Domann: I love to connect with people. It is an honor to put a smile on persons´ face. I am also honored to play for Nebraska and to have the platform to influence a community.
USD: Last but not least: Have you been to Germany?
Domann: No, I have never been to Germany. However, my mother says I have German in my blood. Furthermore I had a nanny when I was little named Anna who was from Germany.
USD: Thank you for your time, JoJo!
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