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.
![]() Image of Jackson from a 2024 Instagram post | |
No. 31 | |
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Position: | Cornerback |
Personal information | |
Born: | Upper Marlboro, Maryland, USA. | August 11, 1999
Died: | July 6, 2024 Upper Marlboro, Maryland, United States. | (aged 24)
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 | |
* Offseason and/or practice squad member only | |
Career highlights and awards | |
| |
Early life and high school
editKhyree Jackson was born on August 11, 1999, in Upper Marlboro, Maryland.[1][2] He attended Wise High School. In Jackson's senior season, he made 39 catches for 612 yards and 12 touchdowns. After graduating in 2017, Jackson attended Arizona Western College to play college football but returned to Maryland after becoming homesick. He later worked at a local Harris Teeter grocery store, where he earned employee of the month honors.[3] Before his return to football, Jackson contemplated pursuing a professional career as a NBA 2K League player.[4] After two years outside of football, Jackson decided to attend Fort Scott Community College in 2019.[5]
College career
editFort Scott CC
editIn his one season at Fort Scott CC, Jackson tallied 25 tackles and three interceptions.[6]
Alabama
editJackson transferred to East Mississippi Community College for the 2020 season, but that was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[7] In 2021, he was given the opportunity to play Division I football as a backup for the Alabama Crimson Tide.[8][9] Jackson got his first career start in the 2021 National Championship versus Georgia.[10] Jackson finished the season with seven tackles and two pass deflections.[11] On November 21, 2022, Jackson was suspended by head coach Nick Saban for undisclosed reasons.[12][13] Jackson finished the 2022 season with seven tackles with one going for a loss in nine games before being suspended.[14] After the conclusion of the 2022 season, Jackson announced his decision to enter the NCAA transfer portal to finish his career elsewhere.[15][16]
Oregon
editJackson ultimately decided to transfer to the Oregon Ducks,[17][18] with whom he opened the 2023 season as a starting cornerback.[19] 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.[20][21]
Professional career
editHeight | 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[22][23] |
Jackson was selected by the Minnesota Vikings as the 108th overall pick in the fourth round of the 2024 NFL draft.[24] 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.[25]
Death and memorial service
editJackson, 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.[26][27] Police believe that alcohol was involved.[28]
At his memorial service at Dr. Henry A. Wise Jr. High School, two people were shot, one fatally.[29] As of July 14, 2024, local police are investigating the shooting.[28]
References
edit- ^ "Khyree Jackson". ESPN. Archived from the original on July 6, 2024. Retrieved July 8, 2024.
- ^ "Khyree Jackson Stats". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved July 8, 2024.
- ^ Alger, Tyson (November 11, 2023). "From Employee of the Month to the playoff race: Khyree Jackson's long road to Oregon pays off". i-5corridor.com. Archived from the original on July 6, 2024. Retrieved July 6, 2024.
- ^ Lewis, Alec. "Former Oregon standout, Vikings rookie CB Khyree Jackson dies in car accident". The New York Times. Archived from the original on July 6, 2024. Retrieved July 6, 2024.
- ^ "Khyree Jackson". Oregon University Athletics. Archived from the original on December 7, 2023. Retrieved December 6, 2023.
- ^ "Khyree Jackson Stats". The Football Database. Archived from the original on July 12, 2024. Retrieved December 6, 2023.
- ^ 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.
- ^ Zenitz, Matt (August 15, 2020). "Alabama adds another Saturday commitment". AL.com. Archived from the original on December 7, 2023. Retrieved December 7, 2023.
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ Rodak, Mike (November 21, 2022). "Alabama cornerback, once a starter, now suspended by team". AL.com. Retrieved December 8, 2023.
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "Khyree Jackson Draft and Combine Prospect Profile". NFL.com. Archived from the original on March 25, 2024. Retrieved March 25, 2024.
- ^ "2024 NFL Draft Scout Khyree Jackson College Football Profile". DraftScout.com. Archived from the original on March 25, 2024. Retrieved March 25, 2024.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "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.