Minnesota Vikings rookie cornerback Khairy Jackson and two former college football players were killed in a car crash overnight, Maryland State Police said. Jackson was 24.

Jackson died in a three-car crash at 3:14 a.m. Saturday in Prince George’s County, police said. Isaiah Hazell and Anthony Litton Jr. — two former players who were Jackson’s high school teammates — were also killed in the crash, police said.

Hazell, 23, played at Maryland and Charlotte, while Litton, 24, played at Florida State and Penn State.

Police said Hazel was driving a Dodge Charger with Jackson in the passenger seat when their vehicle, an Infiniti Q50, attempted to change lanes at a high rate of speed. The Charger left the road and hit multiple tree stumps.

According to police, Jackson and Hazel were pronounced dead at the scene, while Litton was taken to the hospital before being pronounced dead by hospital staff.

Neither the driver of the Infiniti Q50 nor its two passengers, nor the driver of the third vehicle, were injured. Investigators believe alcohol may have played a role in the crash, police said, with charges pending.

Jackson was selected by the Vikings in the fourth round of this year’s draft and was considered a contender to start at cornerback.

“We are devastated to learn of the death of Khairy Jackson following an overnight car accident,” the Vikings said in a statement. “Our thoughts are with Khairy’s family, friends, teammates and coaches, as well as all the victims of this tragic accident.”

Jackson played his final season of college football at Oregon, and Ducks coach Dan Lanning was among those paying tribute to Jackson on social media.

Maryland and Charlotte Coach Biff Poggi both mourned Hazel’s death on social media, as did Penn State for Lytton.

Jackson was an All-Pac-12 first-team selection for Oregon in 2023. Before joining the Ducks, he played two seasons at Alabama under coach Nick Saban.

“I am absolutely devastated by this news,” Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell said in a statement. “Khyri brought an infectious energy to our facility and to our team. His confidence and engaging personality drew his teammates to him as well. In our short time together, it was clear that Khiri was going to become an outstanding professional soccer player, but what was more. He wanted to become the best person for his family and those around him.

Jackson became an instant favorite among Vikings fans after recounting his long journey from high school to the NFL draft. Speaking to Minnesota reporters after the draft, he said he was a non-qualifier after graduating from Wise High School in Maryland in 2017. He spent time at three junior colleges, two seasons away from the game, before landing at Alabama in 2021.

During that interim, he said, he worked in the deli at a Harris Teeter grocery store and at one point won the employee of the month award. “I told my mom and at one point, ‘I guess I’m going to work at a grocery store,'” Jackson said. He later gave serious thought to joining the NBA 2K League.

“When I left my first junior college,” he said, “I was home for about six months, but I told my friends that I was still in school. I was home for six months straight and no one knew. It was kind of eating at me, And then I finally told my friends, that moment really told me, man, if I’m embarrassed to even tell them, I might want to go out and try to do it again instead. Sitting here grieving.”

Of his journey to Power 5 football and ultimately the NFL, Jackson said he has no regrets.

“I wouldn’t change it for the world, though,” he said. “I think it’s taught me a lot of perseverance. It’s helped me become the person I am today. I think I don’t take any shortcuts. I take everything for what it is and don’t question too much. I think that The mentality comes from Zuko and what it’s like to be at the bottom and not have anything like going to some of the best programs.”

This report uses information from ESPN’s Kevin Seifert.



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