Buffs Film Room: Jordan Domineck will be Colorado's game-wrecker in 2023

Aided by the arrival of Shedeur Sanders, the Pac-12 has earned the nickname “conference of quarterbacks” heading into 2023. While the conference is rich with talent at quarterback, it only places a greater emphasis on having a quality pass rush. Coach Prime attacked the portal to improve Colorado’s pass rush with Jordan Domineck being the crown jewel.

Domineck played for Georgia Tech from 2018-2021 before entering the transfer portal and joining Arkansas for the 2022 season. He successfully made the jump to the SEC and had his best season yet last year for the Razorbacks.

After transferring into CU as a graduate transfer, Domineck has the inside track to be Colorado’s best pass rusher in quite some time. In this edition of Buffs Film Room, we take a look at Domineck’s best plays and break down how he impacts the game.

Affecting the quarterback

Last year, Colorado’s defense only charted nine sacks. That total was dead last amongst FBS teams and five sacks fewer than the next closest team. Domineck amassed 7.5 sacks and finished 2022 as Arkansas’ second-leading sack man losing out to future NFL Draft selection Drew Sanders.

While Domineck only had nine sacks throughout his four seasons at Georgia Tech, he graded out well in terms of pressure statistics from PFF and ESPN Stats & Info. These next few rushes highlight exactly what the Florida native can do to get to the quarterback.

Early on in the Yellow Jackets’ 2021 late-season matchup against Notre Dame, Domineck executed this beautiful long arm and dip to get under the right tackle to get the sack.

Now from last year against Cincinnati, the former Razorback puts a beautiful spin move on the Bearcats’ left tackle and crushes the quarterback for a sack and forced fumble in the fourth quarter.

In Arkansas’ showdown against Kansas in the 2022 Liberty Bowl, Domineck showcased his get-off alongside that long arm around the edge to get Jalon Daniels to the ground.

While this is not a sack, number 14 in red does a great job attacking the mesh point of this LSU read option to wreck the play and force a field-flipping turnover for Arkansas.

Even though he only started in spots across his five-year career, Domineck routinely affected the game and was a force for his team when on the field.

Holding the line of scrimmage

We know the pass-rushing skills are there, but when it comes to the run game Domineck maintained his ability to create plays and make offenses earn every yard against him. Listed at 6-foot-3, 250 pounds; Domineck has the strength, length and tenacity to defend the run at a high level.

Alabama is running split zone here, the tight end is supposed to come across the formation and seal off Domineck from making this play from the backside. However, we see that quick get off into the backfield again that allows him to neutralize the play.

Now we see the graduate transfer from Lakeland, FL able to penetrate and wreck the play at the point of attack. Once again that quick get-off is on display and Domineck stops this play before it even has a chance.

While you would expect Domineck to beat a tight end one-on-one, it’s the effort and ability to navigate through traffic to get to the ball carrier that impresses me the most on this play.

Once again, you’ll either need a T.J. Hockenson or Darnell Washington caliber of blocking-tight end to handle Domineck one-on-one in the run game. We also see his ability to put his length to use and extend the tight end away from his own body to easily disengage and make a play on the ball carrier when he is within range.

Here’s a rep against a pulling guard, the Arkansas graduate showcases his strength and stoutness at the point of attack, his nimble feet to threaten the guard inside and his ability to extend and use his length to make a play on the ball carrier at the line of scrimmage.

Projecting Domineck’s 2023 season

While Domineck is undoubtedly the best pass rusher that Coach Prime has added to this year’s team, the way he’s attacked the portal with an emphasis on defensive ends and linebackers suggests there will be a heavy rotation at those positions.

Domineck is no stranger to that approach as he had scattered starts and was often rotated on and off the field throughout his time at Georgia Tech and Arkansas. Given what we saw from him above and the number of times he will be able to rush the quarterback in the pass-heavy Pac-12, Domineck could be poised for a career year in 2023

Coach Prime has assembled a team of hungry and driven football players that have shown early signs that they grasp the gravity of the opportunity this year’s team has. Front seven players and graduate transfers Taijh Alston, LaVonta Bentley, Shane Cokes, Leonard Payne and Taylor Upshaw will likely spearhead CU’s pass-rush in 2023, and all have aspirations of using this season to get them drafted in 2024.

If Domineck is able to surpass his 2022 sack total of 7.5 or even break into the double-digits, he will launch himself into NFL Draft consideration. When you look at the clips above and imagine what he can do with this coaching staff and this supporting cast, it’s not hard to imagine how Domineck could elevate his status with ease this upcoming season.