This season the Minnesota Vikings wore a constant “KJ” patch on their helmets and clothing. Minnesota drafted Oregon cornerback Khyree Jackson. He looked like a difference maker on defense, but the story was cut short.

A tragic car accident killed the 24-year-old, and his absence sent shockwaves throughout the organization. Kevin O’Connell spoke at his funeral, and the Vikings continued to carry his presence throughout the season. Now more details are emerging regarding the situation.

Minnesota Vikings Khyee Jackson death gets new update

This summer Khyree Jackson was killed in a multi-car accident. Details didn’t paint a full picture at the time. A Maryland state attorney has more to share now. Driver Cori Clingman now has new charges.

A grand jury has returned a 13-count indictment against the driver of one of the cars involved. Charges include DUI and vehicular manslaughter, state's attorney for Prince George's county Aisha Braveboy said at a news conference in Maryland. Driver was arrested today. https://t.co/51AxwcIVhR

— Kevin Seifert (@SeifertESPN) January 23, 2025

Clingman was arrested on Thursday and has been charged with driving under the influence and vehicular manslaughter. State attorney Aisha Braveboy talked about how grave the situation was and said, “We should be seeing Mr. Jackson in the NFL right now.”

Jackson’s life story had only just begun. His life was a roller coaster to this point. Jackson joined the Oregon Ducks football program in 2023 after previously playing for Alabama.

He worked as a grocery story employee and looked to make his mark in the gaming world while playing NBA 2K competitively. He picked off three passes for the Ducks in 2023 and was a key member of Dan Lanning’s defense. That elevated his draft status, and Minnesota saw him as a potential difference maker for their defense.

Related: Vikings’ Kevin O’Connell Wins First Coach of the Year Honor

It remains to be seen what sort of impact alcohol may have played in the accident. More information will be provided on that front when the Maryland state attorney shares an update on Thursday afternoon.

The reality is that crashes and driving infractions involving alcohol remain a rampant problem across the country. The fact that Jackson had an otherwise heartwarming story ended so soon only hits harder.

Related: Multiple Minnesota Vikings Named Finalists for 2024 NFL Awards

Minnesota’s secondary continued to carry on the legacy of Jackson throughout the season. He was present spiritually during the Wild Card Round game against the Los Angeles Rams, and will be someone the team doesn’t lose sight of.

O’Connell’s presence at the funeral was a welcome one. The Vikings head coach even took the podium to share a few of his warmer memories of his time with the 24-year-old Maryland native. Included in his emotional speech was a previously unknown tidbit about Jackson’s drive and persistence.

Kevin O’Connell’s speech at Khyree Jackson funeral shows how much they both cared

According to Kevin O’Connell, Khyree Jackson had been battling a bit of a shoulder injury, but that wouldn’t stop him from competing anyway. Clearly, the young athlete wanted to show coaches and his teammates that he wouldn’t quit on them at the first sign of distress.

As expected, O’Connell can be heard choking up a bit as he did his best to hold back his emotions while getting through his speech. Here was a portion of O’Connell’s speech, which was captured by the local WCCO media team.

KO at Khyree Jackson Funereal: “He looked at me, and said, ‘Nope, I can play. I have to be out there with my brothers. I would rather do what I have to do and fight through it to be out there and try to help my team win.’”

🎥: @WCCO pic.twitter.com/z4LaUAEI4K

— VikingNations (@VikingNations) July 26, 2024

If it wasn’t clear before, O’Connell is a player’s coach, through and through. As a former NFL quarterback, he gets it.

In addition to O’Connell’s support, the Vikings will continue to honor Jackson’s memory in a number of ways. As mentioned, that includes new EDGE rusher Dallas Turner.

Dallas Turner put Khyree Jackson nameplate above his locker 🥹❤️ pic.twitter.com/KUBVk1OZJJ

— Alabama DieHards (@DiehardsAlabama) July 21, 2024

The Vikings will also hold a memorial service ahead of their first preseason matchup in which the organization is flying his family in to be a part of their presentation. Minnesota opens up its exhibition season on Saturday, August 10, against the Las Vegas Raiders.

The #Vikings will be holding a memorial service for the late Rookie CB Khyree Jackson before the first preseason game.

The team will also be flying his family in.

First class organization.

🎥@Vikings pic.twitter.com/zJaPwq1NYA

— The Purple Persuasion (@TPPSkol) July 26, 2024

Lastly, here’s J.J. McCarthy taking time to say a few more words about Jackson and how the Vikings are dedicating their season to No. 31.

The rookies are dedicating their 1st NFL season to Khyree 💜 pic.twitter.com/udAuZYDE3u

— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) July 26, 2024

Related: Vikings Pay Homage to Khyree Jackson at Training Camp

We’ve already heard about the plans to feature Jackson on their helmets, with a well-placed “KJ” logo on the back. They also aren’t issuing his jersey number 31 to any other players on the 90-man roster. Jackson even still has a locker at the team facility, which won’t be used by any others either.

The Vikings are also paying Jackson’s full signing bonus to his mourning family. This is in addition to covering a “significant portion” of his funeral expenses. Now, as Vikings training camp officially gets underway, the organization is paying homage to Jackson in another awesome way.

Related: Minnesota Vikings Fan Favorite Returns

Vikings training camp features giant KJ logo to pay respects to Khyree Jackson

Wednesday marked the first day of Minnesota Vikings training camp, giving fans their first chance to see the team in action. It also provided a glimpse into how the Vikings are making sure Khyree Jackson’s legacy lives on.

Khyree 💜 pic.twitter.com/SwavVSCjrm

— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) July 24, 2024

This is yet another neat way to remind players of the impact Jackson had on so many of his teammates and coaches in his short time with the team. It’s also a unique way to make sure fans keep No. 31 in their hearts throughout training camp.

Although it’s the latest example of the Vikings showing respect to Jackson, chances are it’s far from the last sign we’ll see. As mentioned, all Vikings players will have the “KJ” logo on their helmets once the games begin. We can’t wait to see how those turn out too.

Related: Who Makes the Final Cut in Minnesota Vikings Secondary, Who Doesn’t?

Shots ring out after candlelight vigil for Minnesota Vikings rookie CB Khyree Jackson

Then, late Friday night in the parking lot of Wise High School (Upper Marlboro, MD) shots rang out as family and friends were clearing out, after a candlelight vigil that was held in the school’s gymnasium, in remembrance of the three lost graduates. When the dust settled, two were shot.

One male was pronounced dead at the hospital, after taking a fatal shot to the chest. One female, who was shot in the leg, is reportedly in stable condition (as of midnight CT).

Here’s what we know at this hour:
-2 people shot
-1 man critical condition
-1 woman stable condition

Happened outside of Wise HS following the vigil tonight. People tell me they heard about 7 gunshots go off. Several evidence markers here as the crime scene expands. pic.twitter.com/7FJYWeYA9R

— Alexis Wainwright (@AWainwrightTV) July 13, 2024

BREAKING UPDATE: I just got an update from Prince George's County Police on the shooting victims.
A man in his 20s has DIED. A woman in her 20s is at a hospital. They were shot in the parking lot at Wise High School after the vigil for the three fatal car crash victims: @fox5dc

— Shomari Stone (@shomaristone) July 13, 2024

Apparently, there were fireworks being set off in the parking lot, just prior to the shots being fired. Multiple local news crews, that were in or near the parking lot at the moment of the shooting (just after 10 PM), say that the fireworks were being set off as they were parking and setting up for their broadcasts. The shots rang out shortly after, possibly even in the midst of the fireworks.

It does not appear there have been any arrests made yet. The investigation is reportedly ongoing. This article will be updated as more information comes out.

2 people were just shot at the vigil for @Vikings rookie Khyree Jackson & his former teammates (Anthony Lytton & Isaiah Hazel), who recently died in a car crash. More, on @7NewsDC pic.twitter.com/BepNoORc3a

— Scott Thuman (@ScottThuman) July 13, 2024

Minnesota Vikings CB Khyree Jackson dies in car accident

As the minutes ticked by, those rumors were methodically confirmed by reporters with ties to the University of Oregon, where Jackson played football and went to school last year.

At 10:21 a.m. CDT, Ducks head football coach Dan Lanning confirmed the reports via Twitter (X). At 10:54 a.m, Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell released a statement via the team’s official social media accounts confirming the horrible news.

Yes I heard the Khyree rumors this morning while walking Fiji. I reached out and was told he did indeed pass away. This is tragic and heartbreaking. Khyree Jackson is just too damn young to be gone.

— ⚡⚡Scott Reed⚡⚡ (@DSAFootball) July 6, 2024

RIP Khyree… Love you @Real_Khyree at a loss for words. I will miss your smile. Great player better person.

— Dan Lanning (@CoachDanLanning) July 6, 2024

I am absolutely crushed by this news. Khyree brought a contagious energy to our facility and our team. His confidence and engaging personality immediately drew his teammates to him. In our short time together, it was evident Khyree was going to develop into a tremendous professional football player, but what was more impressive was his desire to become the best person he could be for his family and those around him. I am at a loss for words. My heart goes out to Khyree’s family friends, teammates and coaches.

Kevin O’Connell – via typed statement on Vikings’ social medias

According to TMZ, Jackson’s mother Ebbony Jackson received a call regarding her son’s death at 3 a.m. CDT Saturday morning; THE late night / early morning phone call that no parent ever wants to receive.

Three cars involved in accident that kills Khyree Jackson, two others; Alcohol likely played role

At about 11:15 a.m. CDT, more updates started to come through reporters and police reports, including details of the crash that killed Jackson. According to a Maryland State Police report that was filed after, there were three cars involved in the accident.

The preliminary report states that the MD State Police were called to the scene of the accident at 3:14 a.m. ET. It states that Jackson was the front seat passenger in a Dodge Charger with two others in it.

That’s when the driver of an Infinity Q50 tried a passing maneuver, which ended up in a three-car crash between her vehicle, the Charger that Jackson was riding in, and a Chevy Impala. The report does not indicate who the driver of the Infinity was trying to pass, only that she caused the initial contact and that she was “driving at a high rate of speed”.

Jackson’s Charger veered off the road and hit three consecutive tree stumps. All three of the occupants in the Charger died. The two in the front seats died at the scene (including Jackson). The rear-seat passenger died after being airlifted to a nearby hospital. Nobody in the other two vehicles were injured. Charges are pending, as the report concludes that “alcohol may have been a contributing circumstance in the crash”.

Excerpt from Maryland State Police Report:

Shortly after 3:14 a.m. this morning, troopers from the Forestville Barrack responded to a crash on northbound Route 4/Pennsylvania Avenue and Presidential Parkway north of Dower House Road in Upper Marlboro. The three vehicles involved in the crash were a silver Infinity Q50, a silver Chevrolet Impala and a maroon Dodge Charger.

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.  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.

Investigators believe alcohol may have been a contributing circumstance in the crash.

Maryland State Police Report

Khyree Jackson, born August 11, 1999, was 24 years old. He started his football path at a small community college, worked his way to Alabama, then became a star and NFL Draft pick at Oregon. A MN Vikings CB that many thought had a chance to earn real playing time during training camp. Instead, his path ends way too soon.

Keep Khyree’s family, friends and soul in your thoughts and prayers this weekend. Life is precious. Soak it in.

**We will update this post as more information comes available.

Per @BenGoessling via @KFAN1003, CBs Byron Murphy Jr. and Shaq Griffin are in the driver seat as starters. He continues on saying CBs Akayleb Evans and Mekhi Blackmon are going to have to fight for their jobs in training camp / preseason 👀

He also guesses that Evans wins that 3… pic.twitter.com/ooL3kIu87g

— The Purple Persuasion (@TPPSkol) May 8, 2024

As of right now, Murphy Jr., Griffin, and Evans are getting the most starting reps during organized team activities. Despite the crowded cornerback room, depth players behind Murphy Jr. and Griffin are far from locks to receive snaps this season.

Can Khyree Jackson climb the Minnesota Vikings cornerback depth chart?

Although it’s very early, one Minnesota Vikings’ beat writer, Kevin Seifert (ESPN) thinks that lack of depth talent will give rookie cornerback Khyree Jackson a legitimate shot at significant playing time… possibly even reps as a starter.

According to @SeifertESPN, #Vikings CB Khyree Jackson has a legitimate chance for significant playing time if he can put together a strong offseason 👀

“All of which gives rookie 4th-round pick Khyree Jackson a legitimate chance for significant playing time if he can put… pic.twitter.com/q7ODtofCFl

— The Purple Persuasion (@TPPSkol) May 23, 2024

Free agent acquisition Shaquill Griffin, whom the Vikings fully guaranteed $3.99 million, would seem to have the edge for one spot. Akayleb Evans started 15 games last season but endured two in-game benchings. Mekhi Blackmon made three starts as a rookie but had his ups and downs over 435 snaps, and 2022 second-round pick Andrew Booth Jr. (256 snaps in two seasons) might be down to his final chance.

All of which gives rookie fourth-round pick Khyree Jackson a legitimate chance for significant playing time if he can put together a strong spring and summer. Jackson would be one of the NFL’s tallest cornerbacks at nearly 6-foot-4, but senior vice president of player personnel Ryan Grigson said: “The way he drops his weight and his hips, and just his footwork, it’s just not ordinary.” Grigson added: “We think he could be a hell of an outside corner.”

Kevin Seifert – Minnesota Vikings’ Beat Writer (ESPN)

Seifert specifically notes senior vice president of player personnel Ryan Grigson’s comments regarding Jackson. Grigson likes his footwork and the way he drops his weight and hips when going into coverage. Grigson also added that “we think he could be a hell of an outside corner.” Those are some strong words coming from Vikings’ brass.

Related: Vikings Will Reportedly Sit JJ McCarthy Until He Takes QB1 from Sam Darnold Organically

Jackson has the skill set and talent to be an excellent cornerback in the NFL. In 2023, Jackson put up some insane Pro Football Focus (PFF) grades at the University of Oregon. He finished with:

• Overall: 80.5
• Run Defense: 82.2
• Tackling: 84.3
• Pass Rush: 89.2
• Coverage: 77.4

Those are some excellent grades coming from a competitive Pac-12 conference. Overall, defensive coordinator Brian Flores should be able to use Jackson’s versatility and skillset in this defense.

All he has to do is remain patient and execute effectively this offseason. If he can sustain that, he’s got an excellent chance at significant playing time this upcoming season.