Undrafted Jojo Domann makes Colts roster after Nebraska career
INDIANAPOLIS (BVM) – Unfortunately in the NFL, not every talented college player hears their name called during the annual NFL Draft. However, every season dozens of players get their opportunity to make a roster as an undrafted free agent. While these players are typically seen as camp bodies or long shots to make the team, sometimes a player can impress a coaching staff enough to earn a spot on the team’s final 53-man roster.
This was the case for linebacker Jojo Domann. An All-American in his final season at the University of Nebraska, Domann certainly had talent but didn’t hear his name called in April. Fast forward to the final roster cutdowns in August and Domann was listed as a member of the Indianapolis Colts’ 53-man unit.
“Shoot, I mean, obviously there’s the uncertainty of it and you feel that in your body but when it came to my mind, I was just trusting full force that the best thing for me, is for me – whatever that be,” Domann said during a press conference. “It ended up being here, which I am so incredibly thankful for, blessed and excited for but I can’t lie, I humbled myself to know that I could also be on the other end and just living in that duality was fun and really just feeling into it, not running from it, but feeling into it.”
Looking at Domann’s history to get to this point, don’t expect him to be satisfied with only making the roster.
Domann began his journey in his hometown of Colorado Springs where he played for Pine Creek High School. As an elite athlete, Domann was used by the Eagles in a variety of ways both offensively and defensively. As a sophomore, Domann had 44 tackles, while also seeing action on special teams and offense which helped him earn first-team all-area honors.
In his junior year, Domann recorded 61 tackles, while adding seven tackles for loss and seven interceptions on defense while adding 49 receptions for 797 yards and 10 touchdowns, 205 rushing yards and a rushing touchdown while also going 59-of-60 on PAT attempts and going 7-for-8 on field goals. His play helped Pine Creek go 14-0 and win a Class 4A state title as he earned all-state honors.
As a senior in 2015, Domann helped Pine Creek to a 12-1 record before a loss in the state semifinals. During the year, he recorded 37 carries for 404 yards and 11 rushing touchdowns while he also caught 33 passes for 674 yards with nine receiving touchdowns. Defensively, he added 34 tackles, including 4.5 tackles for loss. With his play, Domann was selected as the Gatorade Colorado Player of the Year in 2015 and was also an all-state defensive pick by Prep Colorado. He was also a first-team USA Today All-Colorado selection following his senior campaign.
Domann was ranked among the top players in Colorado by national recruiting sites, earning a three-star ranking and being labeled as the No. 2 player in Colorado and No. 588 nationally in 247Sports’ composite rankings. The 6-foot-1, 210-pound athlete committed to the University of Nebraska and quickly became a key player for the Cornhuskers.
During his freshman season, Domann saw action in every game, primarily on special teams coverage units. He had eight tackles, with five solo tackles, all on special teams and also forced a fumble on kickoff coverage in the Music City Bowl that year. His eight special teams tackles ranked third among the Huskers that season.
Unfortunately, an injury suffered during spring practices forced Domann to miss the entire next season and take a redshirt. During the 2018 season, Domann played both at safety and outside linebacker and recorded his first two career starts. He finished the campaign with 19 tackles and tied for the team lead with two forced fumbles.
The next season, Domann saw extensive playing time in every game, starting six games and recording a career-high 52 tackles. He ranked second on the team with 11 tackles for loss, six pass breakups and two forced fumbles and fourth with 2.5 sacks, all of which were career highs.
During his redshirt senior season, Domann became a fixture on the Cornhuskers‘ defense. The outside linebacker started all eight of the team’s games during the pandemic-impacted 2020 season, leading Nebraska with 58 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, five pass breakups, two forced fumbles and one fumble recovery. This earned Domann Big Ten Conference honorable mention recognition.
With the extra year of eligibility awarded to fall athletes impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, Domann came into his own during his final year in Lincoln. Domann played in 10 of the team’s 12 games before a season-ending hand injury and posted 72 tackles with nine tackles for loss, three pass breakups, two sacks, two forced fumbles and two interceptions. At the time of his injury, Domann ranked eighth in the Big Ten in tackles for loss and total tackles and was one of only three Big Ten players to rank in the top 10 in the conference in both tackles and tackles for loss.
Given his strong performance, Domann was a second-team All-Big Ten selection by the conference coaches and a third-team pick by the league media. He was also honored as a first-team All-Big Ten selection and second-team All-American by the Associated Press, becoming the first Nebraska player to earn All-America accolades since 2014.
Domann declared for the NFL Draft and was selected to participate in the 2022 Senior Bowl. He was also invited to the NFL Combine where he ran the 40-yard dash in 4.62 seconds while recording a 34.5-inch vertical jump and a 119-inch broad jump.
Despite good showings during the build-up to the draft, Domann was not among the 262 players selected during the event. Undeterred, Domann signed as an undrafted free agent with the Indianapolis Colts where he looked to earn a spot.
The linebacker played in two of the Colts three preseason games and showed off his ability and intellect. During the preseason, Domann registered seven total tackles including three solo takedowns.
By the time the Colts cut downs rolled around on Aug. 30, Domann made the initial 53-man roster, avoiding going to waivers and potentially the practice squad. This is not an easy task for any player, let alone an undrafted rookie, to accomplish, but Domann’s work ethic and skills clearly impressed the Colts’ management.
“[My mindset] was really just be a utility and give my all to everything that I do from special teams to defense to my body and my attitude,” Domann said during the press conference. “Just in every facet of my being, how can I apply myself fully in this season of life that will come and go just like that?”
Given his journey and strong play at every level he’s made it to, don’t expect Domann to slow down now. Making a roster is one thing, but excelling in the NFL is a whole different story and Domann will look to stick around the league for years to come. While Colts fans may not know much about Domann yet, expect him to be a figure in the locker room well into the future.
