Former Oregon cornerback and Minnesota Vikings rookie Khyree Jackson died in an vehicle accident in Maryland Friday night time.
Jackson, 24, was killed together with former Dr. Henry Smart Jr. Excessive Faculty teammates Anthony Lytton Jr. and Isaiah Hazel, in line with their highschool coach DaLawn Parrish. Lytton performed at Florida State and Penn State and Hazel performed at Maryland and Charlotte.
“We’re devastated by the information of Khyree Jackson’s demise following an in a single day automotive accident,” the Vikings mentioned in an announcement. “Whereas we work to assemble extra info, now we have spoken to Khyree’s household and provided the assist of the Minnesota Vikings. We now have additionally communicated the information to Vikings gamers, coaches and employees and have provided counseling for individuals who want emotional assist. Our ideas are with Khyree’s household, pals, teammates and coaches, in addition to all of the victims of this tragic accident.”
Maryland State Police say they’re investigating the deadly accident, which occurred in Prince George’s County shortly after 3:14 a.m. ET. Police say their preliminary investigation exhibits an Infinity Q50 pushed by Cori Clingman was touring northbound on Route 4/Pennsylvania Avenue and so they imagine she tried to vary lanes “whereas driving at a excessive charge of pace” when she hit a Dodge Charger pushed by Hazel with Jackson within the passenger seat and Lytton within the again seat, in addition to a Chevrolet Impala.
The Charger went off the highway and “struck a number of tree stumps the place the car got here to relaxation,” in accordance prime police, who mentioned Hazel and Jackson have been pronounced deceased on the scene and Lytton was transported to the College of Maryland Capital Area Medical Middle, the place he later was pronounced deceased.
Clingman and two passengers in her car weren’t injured and the driving force of the Impala was not injured, in line with police, who mentioned they “imagine alcohol could have been a contributing circumstance within the crash” and fees are pending.
Jackson, who had the most effective season of his profession whereas at Oregon, was drafted by the Vikings with the No. 108 total decide within the fourth spherical of this 12 months’s NFL draft. He had the most effective season of his profession in 2023, making 34 tackles (5 for loss), together with two sacks, seven cross breakups and three interceptions as the highest cornerback for the Geese.
“I’m completely crushed by this information. Khyree introduced a contagious vitality to our facility and our workforce,” Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell mentioned in an announcement. “His confidence and interesting persona instantly drew his teammates to him. In our quick time collectively, it was evident Khyree was going to grow to be an incredible skilled soccer participant, however what was extra spectacular was his want to turn into the most effective individual he could possibly be for his household and people round him. I’m puzzled. My coronary heart goes out to Khyree’s household, pals, teammates and coaches.”
Jackson’s school profession at Fort Scott (Kan.) Neighborhood Faculty, adopted by East Mississippi CC, Alabama, and Oregon. A minor arrest that was later dismissed led Jackson to briefly cease taking part in soccer between his junior school stops and he labored at a grocery retailer whereas aggressive gaming earlier than returning to the sector.
“I’m heartbroken by the lack of Khyree. As we bought to know him all through the pre-draft course of, it was clear the objectives Khyree needed to perform each professionally and personally,” Vikings common supervisor Kwesi Adofo-Mensah mentioned in an announcement. “His story was one in all resilience. He was taking steps to turn into the most effective model of himself not only for him, however for individuals who cared about and seemed as much as him. Khyree’s persona captured each room he was in. I’m devastated that his life and all the pieces he had in entrance of him has been lower quick. My ideas are with Khyree’s household and pals, those that performed with and coached him in school, and his teammates and coaches right here on the Vikings.”
After being drafted he credited Dan Lanning for his success as a result of the UO coach “trusted in my skills, but additionally understood who he had in a participant.”
“I don’t actually discuss a lot off the sector; I’m extra laid again and chill off the sector,” Jackson mentioned in April. “However once I’m in apply or within the video games, I’m simply an animal on the sector. Like I don’t actually have too many pals. I simply wish to demolish all people who’s in entrance of me. That’s how I have a look at it once I’m on the sector.
“Having someone who understands and actually knew tips on how to decipher who I used to be. I believe it simply made me play a lot comfortably this 12 months. There was a few instances coach Lanning let me know like, ‘hey, I’m going to allow you to play your sport, ensure you don’t get no flags although.’ I simply made certain I upheld that and that was simply our relationship.”
The Oregonian/OregonLive will replace this story.