Khyree Jackson Has Troubling Football Resume

Oregon cornerback Khyree Jackson is an interesting prospect. He has the length and straight-line speed teams desire.

He also says the right things.

“I have no fear in any receiver I’m playing against,” Jackson said confidently at the NFL Scouting Combine according to All Titans. “I feel like every single play — whether you’re a big-name receiver, small-name receiver, you’re gonna have to show me every play why you are who you are. That’s one of my biggest separators in this class, how I view receivers. How I don’t give anyone respect, you’re gonna have to take it.”

It’s the finer points of the position that get him in trouble.

Jackson started his college career at East Mississippi Community College before transferring to Alabama. In 2022, according to Alabama’s website, he started one game against Texas but played sparingly in that contest while staying in phase with straight-line routes and giving up one big catch. It was also in 2022, he was suspended for a game for unknown reasons.

From there (I think when it became apparent Kool-Aid McKinstry and Terrion Arnold were winning the two starting cornerback jobs at Alabama), Jackson transferred to Oregon where he started all 12 games according to their school’s website and that’s where a majority of my film study took place.

What does the game film say?

To start ⎯he looks the part in a defense that featured him in press man coverage. Jackson crouched down right up on the receiver he was covering pre-snap.

Ironically, his film looked similar to how it looked during that one brief start for the Crimson Tide in 2022. He looked great covering vanilla straight-line routes vertically downfield and horizontally (crossing routes). If you don’t believe me, ask Colorado. In that game, Jackson broke up three such passes. It was his best game.

However, the more I watched, the more apparent it became…

Jackson got his helmet handed to him on routes that featured a breakpoint.

Route breakpoints are when the receivers unpredictably change direction. Jackson appeared a little lazy at times. He allowed larger throwing windows, which made for some easy catches.

Jackson was a damage control corner most of the time. These are the types who give up catches and are only able to secure the tackle after the catch has been made.

Per Pro Football Focus, Jackson was targeted 38 times in 2023 and surrendered 19 catches.

Great in support

Whether in pass coverage or on running plays ⎯no fear or hesitation tackling.

This showed up in the stats.

2023: 34 tackles (25 solo and 9 assists)

Problematic vibe

When watching his game film and doing the background work on Jackson, I get the feeling this one will be trouble in the NFL. Despite his raw talent…it’s the subtle things here and there.

• Bouncing around in college
• Despite raw talent, couldn’t crack the starting lineup at Alabama
• Suspended for a game by Nick Saban
• He was taken out of some of these games despite being the starter
• Pass interference call vs. Utah when he was in trail position

#5 Khyree Jackson 6-foot-3, 195 pounds

Daniel Kelly’s 2024 NFL Draft Grade: Fourth-Round (I wouldn’t select him)

Projected by 3.6% of the NFL Draft Community to be a first-round pick as of April 7, 2024 (nflmockdraftdatabase.com)

2022 game film reviewed (Jersey No. 6 at Alabama): Texas (click to view games watched to form this evaluation)

2023 game film reviewed: Washington, USC, Oregon State, Colorado and Utah

2023 coverage stats: 7 passes defended and 3 interceptions

Jackson Combine Results

2024 NFL Draft Scouting Report

Unpolished prospect with a lanky frame, thin legs, long arms, and good straight-line speed. Command of pre-snap communications. High football IQ. Confident. Good understanding of general coverage concepts. A lot of press man. Some off-man and zone. Quick choppy initial footwork. Twitchy. Smooth movements. Mirrors. Uses hands. Gets physical with receivers. Has some get up and go. Best when he is in control and tends to be caught off guard when he’s not in control of the route flow (even lost balance sometimes). Poor anticipation and instincts at times. Some blitzing upside and can get there. Solid tackler.

Final words

I would question how coachable he is.

Daniel Kelly is a former NFL Scout with the New York Jets. He was hired on the regime which featured Bill Parcells, Bill Belichick, Scott Pioli, Mike Tannenbaum, and Dick Haley. He is currently the Editor-in-Chief for First Round Mock, contributes at Yardbarker, and has written for Sports Illustrated Lions, Jets, and 49ers, as well as a featured guest on ESPN Radio and Fox Sports Radio. For more information about him visit his website at whateverittakesbook.com. Follow on Twitter @firstroundmock.