Khyree Jackson

Khyree 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
Khyree Jackson was born on August 11, 1999, in Upper Marlboro, Maryland. 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. Before his return to football, Jackson contemplated pursuing a professional career as a NBA 2K League player. After two years outside of football, Jackson decided to attend Fort Scott Community College in 2019.

Fort Scott CC
In his one season at Fort Scott CC, Jackson tallied 25 tackles and three interceptions.

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

Oregon
Jackson ultimately decided to transfer to the Oregon Ducks, with whom he opened the 2023 season as a starting cornerback. 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.

Professional career
Jackson was selected by the Minnesota Vikings as the 108th overall pick in the fourth round of the 2024 NFL draft. 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.

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. Police believe that alcohol was involved.

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