Khyree Jackson

American football player (1999–2024)

American football player
Khyree Jackson
refer to caption
Image of Jackson from a 2024 Instagram post
No. 31
Position:Cornerback
Personal information
Born:(1999-08-11)August 11, 1999
Upper Marlboro, Maryland, U.S.
Died:July 6, 2024(2024-07-06) (aged 24)
Upper Marlboro, Maryland, U.S.
Height:6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)
Weight:194 lb (88 kg)
Career information
High school:Wise (Upper Marlboro)
College:Fort Scott (2019)
Alabama (2021–2022)
Oregon (2023)
NFL draft:2024 / round: 4 / pick: 108
Career history
  • Minnesota Vikings (2024)*
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Career highlights and awards

Khyree Anthony Jackson (August 11, 1999 – July 6, 2024) was an American professional football player who played as a cornerback. He played college football for the Fort Scott Greyhounds, the Alabama Crimson Tide and the Oregon Ducks. He was selected by the Minnesota Vikings in the fourth round of the 2024 NFL draft, but died two months later in a traffic collision.

Early life and high school

Jackson was born August 11, 1999, in Upper Marlboro, Maryland,[1] to Raymond and Ebbony Jackson.[2] At the age of five, he took up track and field, progressing to flag football two years later.[3] After starting his high school football career at Springbrook High School, Jackson transferred to Dr. Henry A. Wise Jr. High School partway through his sophomore year.[4] In 2018, his senior season at Wise, Jackson made 39 receptions for 612 yards and 12 touchdowns. Wise went 14–0 and captured a state championship, with Jackson playing wide receiver and defensive back.[5][6]

College career

Arizona Western and Fort Scott CC

Poor grades limited Jackson's college opportunities, and he originally enrolled at Arizona Western College.[7] He became homestick and dropped out of Arizona Western, moving back to Maryland before he played a game for the Matadors.[8] While living with his parents, Jackson took up jobs at Six Flags America, Chipotle Mexican Grill, and Harris Teeter. An avid NBA 2K player, Jackson contemplated a career in esports.[7]

After receiving an email from coach Kale Pick asking if he wanted to play wide receiver for their college football team,[9] Jackson enrolled at Fort Scott Community College in 2019.[10] Although he had been recruited as a wide receiver, Jackson was more interested in playing cornerback, and he convinced the coaching staff to let him change positions partway through the season.[7][11] In his one season with the Fort Scott Greyhounds, Jackson had 25 tackles and three interceptions, and his junior college success earned attention from NCAA Division I football programs.[12]

Alabama

Jackson transferred to East Mississippi Community College for the 2020 season, but that was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[13] In 2021, he was given the opportunity to play Division I football as a backup for the Alabama Crimson Tide.[14][15] Jackson got his first career start in the 2021 National Championship versus Georgia.[16] Jackson finished the season with seven tackles and two pass deflections.[17] On November 21, 2022, Jackson was suspended by head coach Nick Saban for undisclosed reasons.[18][19] Jackson finished the 2022 season with seven tackles with one going for a loss in nine games before being suspended.[20] After the conclusion of the 2022 season, Jackson announced his decision to enter the NCAA transfer portal to finish his career elsewhere.[21][22]

Oregon

Jackson ultimately decided to transfer to the Oregon Ducks,[23][24] with whom he opened the 2023 season as a starting cornerback.[25] During the season, Jackson had three interceptions, seven pass deflections, two quarterback sacks and 34 tackles. For his performance, Jackson was named First Team All Pac-12 for the 2023 season.[26][27]

College statistics

Year Games Tackles Interceptions Fumbles
GP GS Cmb Solo Ast Sck PD Int Yds Avg Lng TD FF FR Yds TD
Fort Scott CC Greyhounds (NJCAA)
2019 8 8 25 22 3 0 0 3 45 15.0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Alabama Crimson Tide
2021 12 12 7 5 2 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2022 9 9 7 6 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Oregon Ducks
2023 12 12 34 25 9 2 7 3 7 2.3 7 0 0 0 0 0

Professional career

Pre-draft measurables
Height Weight Arm length Hand span 40-yard dash 10-yard split 20-yard split Vertical jump Broad jump Bench press
6 ft 3+3⁄4 in
(1.92 m) 		194 lb
(88 kg) 		32+3⁄4 in
(0.83 m) 		9+1⁄4 in
(0.23 m)		 4.50 s 1.50 s 2.67 s 36.5 in
(0.93 m)		 11 ft 1 in
(3.38 m)		 11 reps
All values from NFL Combine/Pro Day[28][29]

Jackson was selected by the Minnesota Vikings as the 108th overall pick in the fourth round of the 2024 NFL draft.[30] Prior to his death, Jackson was in the running to earn a starting cornerback job at the Vikings' training camp set to begin in late July.[31]

Death and memorial service

Jackson, along with two of his former high school teammates, was killed in a car crash in Upper Marlboro, Maryland, in the early morning hours of July 6, 2024, when another driver attempted to change lanes at a high speed and struck two vehicles, including the one in which Jackson was a passenger. He was 24.[32][33] Police believe that alcohol was involved.[34]

At his memorial service at Dr. Henry A. Wise Jr. High School, two people were shot, one fatally.[35] As of July 14, 2024, local police are investigating the shooting.[34]

References

  1. ^ "Khyee Jackson Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved September 13, 2024.
  2. ^ Crepea, James (July 10, 2024). "'People are going to chase their goals because of stories like Khyree's': Oregon football holds vigil for former cornerback Khyree Jackson". The Oregonian. Advance Publications. Retrieved July 11, 2024.
  3. ^ "Khyree Anthony Jackson Obituary". Precious Memories Funeral Home. Retrieved September 13, 2024.
  4. ^ Giannotto, Mark (November 21, 2016). "Prince George's County football notebook: Khyree Jackson adds another dimension to Wise's budding aerial attack". The Washington Post. Retrieved September 13, 2024.
  5. ^ Jackman, Tom; Errigo, Michael (July 6, 2024). "NFL rookie Khyree Jackson, two former teammates killed in Maryland crash". The Washington Post. Retrieved September 13, 2024.
  6. ^ Adornato, Gary (July 6, 2024). "Vikings' rookie Khyree Jackson and 2 high school teammates killed in car crash". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved September 13, 2024.
  7. ^ a b c Lewis, Alec (May 6, 2024). "Vikings NFL Draft pick Khyree Jackson ready to write next chapter of his wild story". The Athletic. The New York Times. Retrieved September 13, 2024.
  8. ^ Inabinett, Mark (July 20, 2024). "Khyree Jackson: 'I know my season's going to be dedicated to him in every way possible'". AL.com. Advance Publications. Retrieved September 13, 2024.
  9. ^ Dohn, Brian (August 15, 2020). "JUCO CB Khyree Jackson discusses extraordinary path to Alabama". 247Sports. Retrieved September 13, 2024.
  10. ^ Young, Lindsey (April 27, 2024). "From Deli Employee of Month to Draft Pick: CB Khyree Jackson Took Unique Path to Vikings". Minnesota Vikings. Retrieved September 13, 2024.
  11. ^ Mizutani, Dane (April 27, 2024). "The incredible journey that led cornerback Khyree Jackson to the Vikings". St. Paul Pioneer Press. Retrieved September 13, 2024.
  12. ^ Cleary, Olivia (July 6, 2024). "Remembering the Career of Oregon Football CB, Minnesota Vikings Rookie Khyree Jackson". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved September 13, 2024.
  13. ^ Young, Lindsey (April 30, 2024). "5 Things to Know About Vikings New CB Khyree Jackson". vikings.com. Minnesota Vikings Football. Archived from the original on July 6, 2024. Retrieved July 6, 2024.
  14. ^ Zenitz, Matt (August 15, 2020). "Alabama adds another Saturday commitment". AL.com. Archived from the original on December 7, 2023. Retrieved December 7, 2023.
  15. ^ Martin, Tyler (December 16, 2020). "Talented JUCO DB Khyree Jackson Signs With Alabama Football". Sports Illustrated. Archived from the original on December 7, 2023. Retrieved December 7, 2023.
  16. ^ Kelly, Nick (December 1, 2022). "Why Alabama football's Khyree Jackson is out of transfer portal but is about to go back in". The Tuscaloosa News. Archived from the original on December 8, 2023. Retrieved December 8, 2023.
  17. ^ Spurr, AJ (March 22, 2022). "Alabama Crimson Tide Snapshot Profile: No. 6 Khyree Jackson". Roll Tide Wire. Archived from the original on December 8, 2023. Retrieved December 8, 2023.
  18. ^ Weber, Alex (November 21, 2022). "Nick Saban announces that defensive back Khyree Jackson is currently suspended". On3.com. Archived from the original on December 8, 2023. Retrieved December 8, 2023.
  19. ^ Rodak, Mike (November 21, 2022). "Alabama cornerback, once a starter, now suspended by team". AL.com. Retrieved December 8, 2023.
  20. ^ Goodbread, Chase (November 21, 2022). "Alabama football CB Khyree Jackson suspended". The Tuscaloosa News. Archived from the original on December 8, 2023. Retrieved December 8, 2023.
  21. ^ Rodak, Mike (November 23, 2022). "Suspended Alabama cornerback enters transfer portal". AL.com. Archived from the original on December 8, 2023. Retrieved December 8, 2023.
  22. ^ Walsh, Christopher (November 23, 2022). "Alabama Defensive Back Khyree Jackson Enters NCAA Transfer Portal". Sports Illustrated. Archived from the original on July 12, 2024. Retrieved December 8, 2023.
  23. ^ Torres, Max (April 25, 2023). "Cornerback Khyree Jackson Opens up on Transferring to Oregon". Sports Illustrated. Archived from the original on July 12, 2024. Retrieved December 8, 2023.
  24. ^ Crepea, James (December 18, 2022). "Former Alabama cornerback Khyree Jackson commits to transfer to Oregon Ducks". Oregon Live. Archived from the original on December 8, 2023. Retrieved December 8, 2023.
  25. ^ Crepea, James (September 29, 2023). "Khyree Jackson 'stepping up to the challenge' as Oregon football's No. 1 cornerback". Oregon Live. Archived from the original on July 12, 2024. Retrieved December 8, 2023.
  26. ^ Crepea, James (December 7, 2023). "9 Oregon football players named to AP all-Pac-12 teams, Bo Nix offensive player of the year". Oregon Live. Archived from the original on December 8, 2023. Retrieved December 8, 2023.
  27. ^ "Nix Wins Pac-12 Offensive Player of the Year". Pac-12 Conference. December 5, 2023. Archived from the original on December 8, 2023. Retrieved December 8, 2023.
  28. ^ "Khyree Jackson Draft and Combine Prospect Profile". NFL.com. Archived from the original on March 25, 2024. Retrieved March 25, 2024.
  29. ^ "2024 NFL Draft Scout Khyree Jackson College Football Profile". DraftScout.com. Archived from the original on March 25, 2024. Retrieved March 25, 2024.
  30. ^ Crepea, James (April 27, 2024). "Oregon cornerback Khyree Jackson selected by Minnesota Vikings in 4th round with No. 108 pick in NFL draft". OregonLive.com. Archived from the original on June 9, 2024. Retrieved June 9, 2024.
  31. ^ "Vikings' Khyree Jackson, 2 former high school teammates killed in car crash in Maryland". ABC News. Archived from the original on July 10, 2024. Retrieved July 10, 2024.
  32. ^ "Triple Fatal Crash Under Investigation In Prince George's County". news.maryland.gov. Archived from the original on July 8, 2024. Retrieved July 9, 2024.
  33. ^ ESPN (July 6, 2024). "Vikings rookie CB Khyree Jackson among 3 killed in crash". Contributed by Kevin Seifert. Archived from the original on July 6, 2024. Retrieved July 6, 2024.
  34. ^ a b "1 dead, another injured following shooting at vigil for Khyree Jackson, 2 other former college football players who died in car crash". The Oregonian. July 14, 2024. Retrieved July 17, 2024.
  35. ^ "Fatal shooting takes place at vigil for Vikings CB Khyree Jackson, HS teammates who died in car crash". CBSSports.com. July 14, 2024. Retrieved July 17, 2024.
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Minnesota Vikings 2024 NFL draft selections