Vikings draft pick Khyree Jackson dies in car crash

Khyree Jackson
Khyree Jackson played last season at Oregon and was only 24 years old. Photo credit Getty Images

The Vikings have confirmed that fourth-round draft pick Khyree Jackson was killed in a car crash on early Saturday morning in Maryland.

The crash is under investigation, and early indications are that alcohol may have been a factor.

He was 24 years old.

The stunning announcement came Saturday morning, with social media posts from Jackson's agent and Oregon head coach Dan Lanning.

The Vikings' statement:

"We are devastated by the news of Khyree Jackson’s death following an overnight car accident. Our thoughts are with Khyree’s family, friends, teammates and coaches, as well as all the victims of this tragic accident."

The statement was posted on the Vikings website beneath a black-and-white photo of Jackson.

Printed next to the image is "In Memory of Khyree Jackson, 1999-2024"

According to police, Jackson and two others were killed in a three-car crash at 3:14 a.m. in Prince George's County.

The other two were  Isaiah Hazel and Anthony Lytton Jr., who played high school football with Jackson.

Hazel, 23, played college football at Maryland and Charlotte.

Lytton, 24, was a football player at Florida State and Penn State.

The police report indicates Hazel was driving a Dodge Charger and Jackson was in the passenger seat when the vehicle was struck by another car attempting to change lanes at a high rate of speed.

The car Jackson was in reportedly left the road and struck several tree stumps.

Jackson and Hazel died at the scene, while Lytton died after he was taken to a hospital.

A woman was driving the second car, Infiniti Q50, and had two passengers, while the driver was the only occupant of third car involved in the crash.

None of those people was injured.

Investigators believe alcohol may have played a role in the crash, and police say charges are pending.

Jackson was the 108th overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.

A native of Maryland, Jackson also played college football at Alabama and Fort Scott Community College.

He reportedly gave up football in 2017 and took at job at a grocery story before resuming his career two years later.

"His story was one of resilience," said Vikings General Manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah in a statement. "He was taking steps to become the best version of himself not just for him, but for those who cared about and looked up to him."

NFL scouts considered Jackson a possible impact player coming out of the draft, with some projecting him as a second-round pick.

One NFL analyst said that the Vikings got "themselves a steal" when they picked a player in the fourth round to cover a position of need.

Jackson took part in Vikings rookie camp as one of nine defensive backs, wearing number 31.

Featured Image Photo Credit: Getty Images