Khyree Jackson's story was just beginning
Vikings rookie cornerback Khyree Jackson died in an automobile crash early Saturday morning, the team announced after the heartbreaking news circulated online.
"Our thoughts are with Khyree's family, friends, teammates and coaches, as well as all the victims of this tragic accident," the team wrote in a statement.
Vikings owners Mark and Zygi Wilf added, "Khyree had an extremely bright future ahead of him as a player, and it was clear he was dedicated to being a tremendous person who made a positive difference in people's lives."
Per Maryland.gov, Jackson was a passenger in a vehicle with two other men when another car struck theirs "while driving at a high rate of speed." All three men died as a result of injuries suffered in the crash.
Jackson, Minnesota's fourth-round pick (No. 108 overall) in the 2024 NFL Draft, transferred to Oregon in 2023 after two seasons as an Alabama reserve.
Following his selection in April, Vikings fan podcast "Purple FTW!" shared a timeline of Jackson's incredible journey to being drafted, which included him spending the 2017 and 2018 seasons away from football and playing at Fort Scott Community College in 2019.
Last season with the Ducks, Jackson had three interceptions, seven passes defended, five tackles for loss and two sacks.
After being drafted, Vikings senior vice president of player personnel Ryan Grigson spoke about Jackson, who was 6-foot-3, and described him as having "rare length and size for a corner but little-man quickness."
"Obviously, had a really good year at Oregon... Really kind of put it all together this year," Grigson added.
Jackson should be getting ready for his first NFL training camp and a chance to make the Vikings' 53-man roster after an improbable journey to the league.
But Jackson was already a success story just by being drafted. His tragic death, as painful as it is, doesn't change that.
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