Dallas Turner honors late Alabama teammate Khyree Jackson in Vikings locker room

Dallas Turner will honor his late teammate Khyree Jackson by keeping Jackson’s nameplate above his in the locker room this season. Earlier this month, Jackson died in an auto accident. He was 24.

Turner and Jackson played together at Alabama for two seasons. Jackson transferred to Oregon ahead of the 2023 campaign. The Vikings reunited the pair when they drafted Jackson with the No. 108 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.

The accident also claimed the lives of his high school teammates AJ Lytton, who played at Penn State and Florida State in college, and Isaiah Hazel, who played for Maryland and Charlotte. The trio won state championships at Dr. Henry A. Wise Jr. High School (MD) in 2016.

Dallas Turner honoring former Alabama teammate Khyree Jackson by keeping Jackson’s nameplate over his in the locker room. pic.twitter.com/KqtY8NE3o2

— Cruz Oxenreider (@TheRealCruzOx) July 21, 2024

Troopers from the Forestville Barrack responded to the crash in the early hours of July 6 in Upper Marlboro, Maryland. Hazel and Jackson were pronounced deceased on the scene while Lytton was transported to the University of Maryland Capital Region Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead by the attending medical professionals.

“The preliminary investigation indicates the driver of the silver Infiniti, later identified as Cori Clingman, was traveling northbound on Route 4/Pennsylvania Avenue in Prince George’s County,” a report from the Maryland State Police reads.

“Investigators believe Clingman attempted to change lanes while driving at a high rate of speed when she struck the Dodge Charger and then struck the Chevrolet Impala. The Charger subsequently traveled off of the right side of the roadway and struck multiple tree stumps where the vehicle came to rest.”

More on Khyree Jackson’s playing career

In his lone season at Oregon, Jackson tallied 34 tackles (25 solo), 5.0 tackles for loss, three interceptions, seven passes defended and 2.0 sacks. His interception total not only led the Ducks’ defense but ranked fourth in the Pac-12. For his efforts, Jackson earned First-Team All-Pac-12 honors.

During his two seasons in Tuscaloosa, the former junior college (Fort Scott CC) transfer played just under 200 snaps. During that time, he recorded 14 tackles and two pass breakups. He also played a career-high 59 snaps in the College Football Playoff National Championship Game against Georgia.

Lance Zierlein of NFL Network had Jackson as his No. 19 cornerback prospect in the 2024 NFL Draft, giving him a 6.15 Prospect Grade. Zierlein described Jackson as a strong outside cornerback with a rare size and physicality that made him an imposing figure for opposing receivers.

Jackson was battling for a starting spot in the Minnesota Vikings’ secondary before his untimely death. Turner, who the Vikings selected with the No. 17 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, will aim to honor Jackson’s memory.

On3’s Barkley Truax also contributed to this article.