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The three males performed for coach DaLawn Parrish and received a number of state championships as Parrish constructed a dynasty at Clever, profitable 43 straight video games and three state titles from 2015 to 2018. When Parrish stepped down in January after profitable six titles, Jackson, Lytton and Hazel all confirmed up at a shock occasion for the departing coach, Parrish mentioned Saturday.
“Excellent younger males,” Parrish mentioned. “Laborious-working, very caring. All three of them will at all times be part of my life. As they advised me I helped them develop, these younger males helped me develop as a coach and a person. I’ll at all times miss them, at all times love them, on the very least I’m glad they have been collectively on the finish.”
“I’m completely crushed by this information,” Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell wrote on X, previously Twitter. “Khyree introduced a contagious vitality to our facility and our group. … My coronary heart goes out to Khyree’s household, mates, teammates and coaches.”
The crash occurred round 3:15 a.m. on northbound Route 4 close to Presidential Parkway. The three males have been driving in a Dodge Charger being pushed by Hazel when the Charger and one other automotive have been struck by an Infiniti Q50 that was altering lanes whereas driving at excessive velocity, police mentioned.
The Charger left Route 4 and struck a number of tree stumps earlier than coming to relaxation, police mentioned. Police declined to say if the three have been carrying seat belts. The motive force of the Infiniti, recognized by police as an Higher Marlboro girl, and her two passengers weren’t injured. The motive force of the opposite automotive additionally was not harm.
Jackson and Hazel have been pronounced lifeless on the scene. Lytton was taken to a hospital the place he later died.
State police mentioned investigators suppose that alcohol might have been a contributing circumstance within the crash. No expenses have been filed Saturday.
Lytton performed collegiately at Florida State College and Penn State, and Hazel performed on the College of Maryland and College of North Carolina at Charlotte. Jackson had a extra winding journey by means of school, enjoying at two small schools and taking a yr off from soccer.
In a video on X, Jackson talked about how he was working within the deli division of a Harris Teeter grocery retailer, saying he had received “Worker of the Month” and “I actually wasn’t eager about soccer a lot.” Jackson mentioned he tried to show professional enjoying the NBA 2K online game collection, and “for a little bit of a second soccer had bought a bit foggy, I’d positively say.”
Jackson was requested why he returned to soccer, and he mentioned, “Two of my shut mates, they have been four- and five-stars [recruits],” Jackson mentioned, “they each have been D-1. They motivated me.”
Jackson returned to soccer and ultimately enrolled at Alabama, the place he performed cornerback for 2 seasons and began within the nationwide championship sport. He transferred to Oregon for his senior yr and wound up being the 108th participant chosen within the draft.
In an Instagram publish in April, simply two days earlier than the NFL draft, Jackson wrote, “Watching Zayy and AJ [Hazel and Lytton] go D1 was my final inspiration, they impressed me to be higher can’t thank them sufficient.”
At Clever, all three gamers have been two-way stars, offering highlights for each the offense and the protection. They helped contribute to a 43-game profitable streak for the Prince George’s County program that stretched throughout a number of seasons and included three consecutive state titles.
Lytton was named All-Met Defensive Participant of the Yr in 2017 after spending his senior season because the backfield anchor of a dominant protection. He started his school profession at Florida State and performed two seasons there earlier than transferring to Penn State. His household couldn’t instantly be reached for remark.
Hazel, one other standout at vast receiver and cornerback, went to U-Md. He had flipped his dedication from West Virginia College, giving the hometown Terps extra momentum with native recruits. He performed 4 seasons there earlier than transferring to UNC-Charlotte for his remaining yr of eligibility, the place he began eight video games and was sixth on the group in tackles.
“He was a superb younger man and he’s going to heaven,” mentioned Hazel’s grandmother, Edith S. Hazel. She mentioned Hazel graduated with honors from U-Md. in 2022, however was decided to play professional soccer even after going undrafted. He was the youngest of three youngsters and his older brother is a police officer in Prince George’s, his grandmother mentioned.
Jackson began his highschool profession at Springbrook Excessive in Silver Spring earlier than transferring to Clever in the course of his sophomore yr. A damaged collarbone price Jackson his junior season with the Pumas and derailed his recruiting hopes.
“I couldn’t dwell on the state of affairs,” Jackson advised The Washington Put up in 2016. “I simply needed to come again higher.”
He put collectively a powerful senior season at vast receiver, totaling 39 catches for 612 yards and 12 touchdowns whereas additionally enjoying defensive again.
Regardless of these numbers, Jackson acquired little school curiosity. He took a yr away from soccer earlier than enrolling at Fort Scott Group Faculty in Kansas. He climbed the collegiate ranks from there, transferring to the College of Alabama after which the College of Oregon. In Eugene, he cemented himself as a defensive star and surefire NFL draft prospect.
Jackson’s school coach at Oregon, Dan Lanning, wrote on X, “RIP Khyree… Love you, confused. I’ll miss your smile. Nice participant higher individual.”
“In our quick time collectively,” Vikings coach O’Connell wrote on X, “it was evident Khyree was going to grow to be an incredible skilled soccer participant, however what was extra spectacular was his want to turn into one of the best individual he might be for his household and people round him. I’m confused.”
