Vikings rookie cornerback Khyree Jackson has died, according to James Crepea of The Oregonian. Jackson’s agent and former high school coach confirmed that the athlete died in an auto crash. Oregon head coach Dan Lanning has also confirmed the news.
The Vikings have announced Jackson’s death.
“We are devastated by the news of Khyree Jackson’s death following an overnight car accident,” the team said in a statement. “Our thoughts are with Khyree’s family, friends, teammates and coaches, as well as all the victims of this tragic accident.”
Owners Mark and Zygi Wilf said in their own statement:
“We are deeply saddened by the news of Khyree’s passing,” . “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. We are thinking about Khyree’s family and friends and all members of the Minnesota Vikings following this devastating loss.”
The auto accident happened at 3:14 a.m. Saturday morning in Upper Marlboro, Maryland, which is Jackson’s hometown. According to a Maryland State Police news release (h/t Nicki Jhabvala of the Washington Post), Jackson was the front passenger in a Dodge Charger involved in the crash. The investigation indicated that another car was attempting to change lanes before striking the car that Jackson was traveling in, forcing the Dodge Charger off the road where it struck multiple tree stumps. All three passengers riding in the Dodge Charger have died. Investigators believes “alcohol may have been a contributing circumstance in the crash.”
After spending time with Fort Scott Community College and Alabama to begin his collegiate career, Jackson found his footing after transferring to Oregon for the 2023 campaign. The cornerback earned first-team All-Pac-12 honors this past season after finishing with 34 tackles, two sacks and three interceptions, a performance that helped make him a fourth-round pick by the Vikings during April’s draft.
“[He has a] really aggressive mindset, [is a] play press man,” Vikings GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah said following the draft, via the team’s website. “You know, really good insight we got from one of our former coaches … about the person and different things like that and how he would fit in. So just really excited to add him in with the mentality he can bring to that room.”
We here at PFR would like to extend our condolences to Jackson’s family, friends and colleagues.
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