USC shook up the college football world last month when former Oklahoma Sooners head coach Lincoln Riley left Norman unexpectedly and took up the head football coaching position with the Trojans. Riley was well known for his ability to recruit high-level players. It did not take long for that to have an effect. According to 247Sports National Recruiting Analyst, Greg Biggins, Riley just reeled in 5-star recruit Domani Jackson.

Reportedly Domani Jackson was between USC and perennial power house, the Alabama Crimson Tide.

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Jackson announced Friday that he has made up his mind and has signed with the USC Trojans. Jackson opened up and talked about how close he was to choosing Nick Saban and Alabama.

“It was a really tough decision, I’m not going to lie,” Jackson said. “A few weeks ago, it was done, I was all Bama. I was basically a commit there already and had told the coaches I was coming… I knew where I would be staying and who I would be rooming with. Bama is a great school and I love coach Saban and coach Valai but I like the direction USC is going in now and I’m excited to be a part of that.”

Jackson, a standout defensive back, should prove helpful to a Trojans defense that has fallen off in recent years. Riley is off to a great start in trying to rebuild the once-proud program. College football is better when USC is formidable. The PAC-12 is in need of relevancy, and Lincoln Riley might just deliver that with USC.