NFL world comes together over heartbreaking loss of Vikings rookie Khyree Jackson

The NFL world is mourning the death of Minnesota Vikings rookie cornerback Khyree Jackson on Saturday.

Jackson died in an overnight car crash in Maryland. He was just 24 years old at the time of his passing.

Tragically, two other lives were also lost in the crash — Isaiah Hazel and Anthony Lytton Jr. They both played college football and were teammates of Jackson in high school.

Jackson was set to debut in the NFL this coming season, and the football community is heartbroken over the news.

Multiple members of the Vikings organization — including head coach Kevin O’Connell and general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah — released statements regarding the tragic news.

According to police, the car occupied by the three victims was struck by another vehicle that was attempting to change lanes at a high speed, causing the stricken vehicle to leave the road and hit multiple tree stumps. Alcohol could have played a role in the crash, and charges are pending.

Jackson was selected by the Vikings with the No. 108 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft after playing two seasons of college football at the University of Alabama and one season at the University of Oregon.

He didn’t put up gaudy numbers during his time as a member of the Crimson Tide, as he totaled 11 solo tackles, three assisted tackles and 14 total tackles in 21 total games played with the program. He also appeared in just nine of the team’s 13 games in the 2022 season, his second and final season at Alabama.

Rather, it was Jackson’s one season with the Ducks, his swan song playing football at the collegiate level, when he established himself as a legitimate NFL prospect. He put up better numbers in his single season at Oregon than he did in both of his seasons with the Crimson Tide combined.

Across 12 appearances with the Ducks, he totaled 25 solo tackles, nine assisted tackles, 34 total tackles, five tackles for loss and two sacks. He also had three interceptions and seven passes defended, and he helped Oregon finish the season with an excellent record of 12-2.

The Vikings, who drafted Jackson in April, are fresh off a campaign where they won just seven of their 17 games during the regular season. Minnesota finished tied with the Chicago Bears for the worst record of any team in the NFC North division and won only two of its eight home games.

It’s incredibly unfortunate that Jackson’s life was cut short and that he was robbed of his opportunity to take the field for the Vikings in the upcoming 2024 season.