Vikings’ selection of Khyree Jackson rooted in Senior Bowl

The Senior Bowl has always been seen as an important tool in the NFL draft process, for cornerback Khyree Jackson, it might be the reason he is now a Viking. The Senior Bowl had recently added player interviews to their process, and Jackson took full advantage of that, specifically with the Vikings.

Kevin Seifert of ESPN reported that Jackson elaborated on a video conference as to why he may have made his way to Minnesota.

“I was the best cornerback in the draft, and I told them they were going to get me for cheaper because of some of the politics that go into it,” Jackson said.

Because of academic issues, Jackson enrolled at Arizona Western Community College after winning two Maryland state championships as a wide receiver in high school. Within a couple of weeks, he had left school and returned home. He worked at a Harris Teeter deli counter and considered trying his hand at the “NBA 2K” esports league.

Instead he gave football another chance, winding his way from a community college in Kansas to another in Mississippi. He then got his big break, transferring to Alabama and getting his first career start in the 2021 CFP national championship. After being suspended by coach Nick Saban, Jackson transferred to Oregon. In his lone season with the Ducks, he earned first-team All-Pac-12 honors.

When asked about his playing style, Jackson summed it up: “I’ll run through your face. If you fall, you fall, if you don’t, I’ll come next time.”

The Minnesota Vikings and their fans are in for entertaining pass-coverage reps this season.