Khyree Jackson: DMV Hero Gone Too Soon

By: Paul Anglade

UPPER MARLBORO, MD-

Khyree Jackson, a cornerback for the Minnesota Vikings, was killed in a multi-car accident in the early hours of July 6th, 2024, along with his two close friends, Isaiah Hazel and Anthony Lytton Jr. The crash was caused by a woman driving recklessly. Police said investigators "believe alcohol may have been a contributing circumstance in the crash,” per the police report on State Route 4 near Upper Marlboro, Maryland, where the woman’s vehicle hit another car in addition to Jackson’s. Jackson, Hazel, and Lytton Jr. grew up in Upper Marlboro and won a state championship together at Dr. Henry A. Wise High School. Jackson went on to play football at Alabama and Oregon before being selected in the 4th round of the 2024 NFL Draft by Minnesota. Hazel played close to home at Maryland and later Charlotte, while Lytton Jr. played at Florida State and Penn State. 

Terrion Arnold, a good friend and teammate of Jackson’s at Alabama, and a first round pick of the Detroit Lions in April. said on Twitter (X), “You hurt me with this one dude. The journey it took for you to get to where you was at and you really accomplished your goals of making it to the NFL, you really looked out for me. A true brother and all you wanted to do was see me succeed and vice versa always love slim.”

resser, “Khyree brought a contagious energy to our facility and our team. His confidence and engaging personality immediately drew his teammates to him.” 

Vikings GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah also spoke out, saying, “I am heartbroken by the loss of Khyree. As we got to know him throughout the pre-draft process, it was clear the goals Jackson wanted to accomplish both professionally and personally. His story was one of resilience. 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.”

Jackson played mostly as a 3rd or 4th corner at Alabama before transferring to Oregon in 2023, where he had a career year with 34 total tackles and 3 interceptions. Oregon HC Dan Lanning was very fond of Jackson on and off the field because of his work ethic and character, saying he was a “great player and even better person.” Oregon OC Will Stein said, “Sick to my stomach over this… Khyree will be missed by everyone that knew him.”

Jackson was competing and looking to be a top starting corner for the Vikings this upcoming season, a position they believed he would be able to fill, per an ABC News report. Coming out of the DMV area, where many people have become professional athletes in just about every sport, Jackson was looking to become the next great football player from that area, with some of the most notable being Chase Young (New Orleans), Stefon (Houston) and Trevon Diggs (Dallas), Rodney McLeod Jr. (Cleveland), Caleb Williams (Chicago), and Ja’Whaun Bentley (New England).

Resilience is a common theme for DMV-bred athletes, especially the ones who were not highly recruited and talked about. A perfect example is Josh Hart of the New York Knicks, who although played and won at the highest level in college, was not a top guy in his draft class and had to scrape and grind for everything he received. Years later, he is now one of the most important pieces on the Knicks in their championship conquest. Jackson emanated that same mentality because although he did go to Alabama, arguably the best CFB program of the last decade, he initially quit football at one point after high school before returning to the sport at a community college and ascending to the Division I level. He did not see the field often. It was only when he was able to remember who he was as a person and a player that he used his confidence to restart and become one of the best guys at his position. Lots of kids in the DMV go through this struggle sometimes, and Jackson served as an example of not quitting on your dreams when it gets tough and continuing the grind relentlessly.

Khyree Jackson, Anthony Lytton Jr. and Isaiah Hazel’s lives were cut short due to circumstances beyond their control. Their legacies will live on to other kids in the DMV area as inspirations to go and achieve your dreams, and to not let anything stop you.