Khyree

Jackson

This tragic news was confirmed by Jackson’s agent and former high school coach. Jackson was a fourth-round pick of the Vikings in this year’s draft and went from JUCO to Alabama and eventually Oregon, where he had a breakout campaign in 2023. At one point, Jackson had all but given up on football before enrolling at Fort Scott Community College in 2019 and later moving on to East Mississippi Community College. Jackson, 24, totaled 34 tackles and three interceptions in his lone year at Oregon and was named First-team All-Pac-12 for his efforts. His unconventional path to the draft made him an exciting and inspirational prospect to watch this offseason. Our thoughts are with his loved ones.

A First Team All-Pac-12 selection who started all 12 games as a senior, Jackson went from JUCO-to-Alabama and finally to Oregon where he had a breakout season with the Ducks in 2023. Outside of the one game against Washington, he was a legitimate shutdown corner, allowing only eight receptions and zero touchdowns over the final six games. Jackson brings a physical presence to the game with 12 run stops and an 83rd% PFF run grade this season. Jackson has exceptional length (32 ¾ arms) and uses it well to manipulate receivers towards the sidelines, cutting the field off. Jackson has notable ball skills with eight pass break ups and three interceptions, as opposing receivers have to work hard to create space. There are no “gimme” receptions. He also does well with contested catches using his length and elite anticipation to knock down the ball. He’s about as long as corners come at 6’036, but his 1.60s 10-yard split (46th%) and 2.67s flying-20 is just a 37th percentile time, showing that he needs a little ramp-up before he gets moving.