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Former Alabama CB Khyree Jackson dies in car crash

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Former University of Alabama cornerback Khyree Jackson was one of the victims of a car crash Saturday morning that left three men dead, Maryland police said. Jackson was 24 years old.

The crash occurred in Prince George’s County, Maryland, which includes Jackson’s hometown of Upper Marlboro. According to a police news release, Jackson was traveling in a Dodge Charger with Isaiah Hazel and Anthony Lytton Jr., two of his high school football teammates. At 3:14 a.m., an Infiniti Q50 “attempted to change lanes at a high rate of speed” and struck the Charger, causing it to “travel off the right side of the road and strike several tree stumps.”

Hazel and Jackson were pronounced dead at the scene. Lytton was taken to the University of Maryland Capital Region Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead. No one else was injured in the accident.

According to a statement from investigators, alcohol “may have been a contributing factor to the accident.”

Jackson graduated from high school in 2017 and attended Arizona Western College to play football, but quickly returned to Maryland due to homesickness.

“When I finally left my first junior college, I was home for about six months, but I told my friends I was still in school,” he told reporters in April. “I stayed home for six months straight and nobody knew. It kind of gnawed at me, and then I finally told my friends. That moment really told me, man, if I was embarrassed to tell them, maybe I should go out and try again instead of sitting here and sulking.”

After missing several seasons of football and stints at Harris Teeter and Chipotle, as well as spending time at two other junior colleges, Jackson landed at Alabama in 2021. During his time in Tuscaloosa, he recorded 11 tackles and started in the 2021 National Championship against Georgia.

Jackson moved In 2023 he moved to Oregon, where he had the best season of his career. The Minnesota Vikings selected Jackson in the fourth round of the 2024 NFL Draft.

“We are devastated by the news of Khyree Jackson’s death following an overnight car crash,” the Vikings said. “While we work to gather more information, we have spoken with Khyree’s family and offered him the support of the Minnesota Vikings. We have also shared the news with Vikings players, coaches and staff and offered counseling for those needing emotional support. Our thoughts are with Khyree’s family, friends, teammates and coaches, as well as all the victims of this tragic accident.”

“Alabama mourns the loss of former student-athlete Khyree Jackson,” the Alabama football team wrote in a statement on social media. “Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends.”

Several current and former teammates took to social media to honor Jackson’s memory.

“He still has too much to go,” Vikings quarterback JJ McCarthy posted on Instagram. “Rest in peace, phenomenal athlete, but more importantly, a damn great man. See you in the next life, family.”

“The journey you’ve taken to get here and you truly accomplished your goal of making it to the NFL. You truly looked out for me,” wrote former Alabama CB Terrion Arnold. “A true brother and all you wanted was to see me succeed and vice versa, love Slim always ❤️.”

“I haven’t shed a tear in a minute, this hurt,” wrote former Alabama safety Brian Branch.

“Bro, no way, bro 💔,” wrote former Alabama receiver Traeshon Holden, who was also Jackson’s teammate at Oregon.

“Life isn’t fair 😪 rest easy bro… gone too soon Reeski 🙏🏽,” wrote current Alabama defensive back Malachi Moore.

Charles Vaughan is a writer for Yellowhammer News.

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