Ducks Digest

Khyree Jackson Opens up on Transferring to Oregon

Jackson is one of two former Alabama players that opted to head west to play their college football in 2023.

Max Torres

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Entering his second year as head coach in Eugene, Dan Lanning has been very strategic about using the transfer portal.

Ahead of the 2022 season he brought two of the teams best players in from other schools. Quarterback Bo Nix became a dark horse Heisman candidate after transferring from Auburn, and Christian Gonzalez solidified himself as the best cornerback in the Pac-12, following Demetrice Martin from Colorado to Oregon.

Lanning and his coaches have been active in the portal once again this offseason, tabbing former Alabama cornerback Khyree Jackson as someone that can enhance their program.

On Tuesday, the 6-foot-3 defensive back spoke publicly for the first time since his transfer to Oregon and opened up on his decision.

"I felt like the relationship that I had with Coach Lanning," he said about why he chose Oregon. "Before I made my decision to go to Alabama, Georgia was in my top five already, so I feel like we had a good relationship. It's a pretty seamless transition. The defense is the same."

Oregon's 4-2-5 defense is primarily suited for lengthy corners with speed and Jackson spoke about how he fits into the scheme, including what's different from his last spot.

"I feel like I fit well into the scheme," he said. "I feel like I have a little more freedom here within the scheme. I feel like Coach Lanning lets me make decisions whether or not if I'm in man if I feel comfortable pressing or playing off based on splits and alignments.

"I feel like when I was at Alabama we didn't really have as much leeway regarding things like that. That's probably what I would say I like the most."

Demetrice Martin felt the need to add more impact players after the 2022 season and said part of the reason he was intrigued by Jackson was because of his familiarity with the defense.

"Being that he's a longer guy. He has a lot of explosion, some good ball skills," Martin said after Saturday's scrimmage."And then one of the things is the place that he come from, is a very similar style of defense. Our defense is probably not free agent friendly, so guys that's been in the system and know the terminology and know some of the fits and adjustments--they usually thrive in it."

Some fans are hoping that Jackson can replace Gonzalez, who's projected to go in the first round of this week's NFL Draft, but he isn't trying to be Gonzo 2.0.

"I'm definitely trying to be myself but also step into his role as being a lockdown corner," he said. "Not really having that side of the field you really have to worry about. That's definitely what I look forward to, but at the same time bringing my own swag to the team."

Through 12 spring practices with the Ducks Jackson has gotten to go against many of Oregon's  talented wide receivers and shared what he's seen from Junior Adams' group.

"Troy Franklin is definitely a big-time receiver," Johnson said. "For somebody so tall, you don't really see somebody be able to move like that. I feel like we have a good receiving corps. I'm expecting a lot from them. I can't forget about Tez Johnson. Fast, if you miss he will bomb you. I'm looking forward to him during the season making a lot of plays."

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Max Torres
MAX TORRES

Max Torres is the publisher and lead editor of Ducks Digest. He's covered the Oregon football and recruiting beats for four years. He's based out of Long Beach, CA and travels around Southern California and the country covering top high school football prospects.

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