EAGAN, Minn. — The most challenging part of Dallas Turner's first NFL training camp is dealing with the loss of his friend.

Turner was in Maryland on Friday with rookie teammates Taki Taimani and Jeshaun Jones, attending the funeral of teammate Khyree Jackson, who was killed July 6 in an automobile accident.

Head Coach Kevin O'Connell, Defensive Coordinator Brian Flores, Special Teams Coordinator Matt Daniels, Defensive Backs Coach Daronte Jones and General Manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah also traveled to Maryland to celebrate the life of the organization's fourth-round draft pick and pay respects after his tragic passing.

Taimani was Jackson's teammate at Oregon in 2023, while Jones played collegiately at Maryland. Jackson, a native of Upper Marlboro, Maryland, died while visiting his home state over the team's break.

Turner said Thursday after practice at Twin Cities Orthopedics Performance Center that Jackson's death will motivate him. Their relationship preceded their status as members of the 2024 Vikings draft class.

"Just knowing that I'm doing it for both of us – it's bigger than me," said Turner, referencing putting Jackson's name plate above his own at his locker stall. "As long as I'm alive, I'mma still rep his name."

Although there was a three-year age gap, both players joined the Crimson Tide football team in spring 2021. Turner valued having the promising defensive back as a teammate and said a week or two passed before he was able to believe the news of Jackson's untimely death. Turner remembers him fondly.

"Khyree Jackson was a real, wholehearted person," Turner said thoughtfully. "He was never too big to talk to anybody. He was never too big to ask a question. … He was a very genuine dude, too."

Conversations between Turner and Jackson developed their mutual respect.

"He helped me realize who I was," said Turner, crediting some of his growth as a person to his relationship with Jackson. "He helped me build my confidence off the field and on the field in a way."

His words echo what coaches and players have said about Jackson over the past month. The impact Jackson made in his short time with the organization can't be overstated.

Turner and teammates will continue to honor Jackson this season, including with a memorial service in Minnesota and hosting Jackson's family members at the Aug. 10 preseason opener against the Raiders.

Iron Sharpens Iron

Turner understands the grind. He went to Alabama and played for legendary coach Nick Saban, after all.

His college career, one that included Consensus All-America and SEC Defensive Player of the Year honors, taught him how to handle his business. The NFL workload may look different, but he's not fazed by it.

It doesn't matter if he's aligning off the ball or on the line. He's learning the concepts – and positions – from different angles to grasp Flores' all-encompassing scheme. That intelligence and flexibility to play multiple spots is something Flores has preached about. It's coveted in the NFL, if not necessary.

"They've tried to throw a lot at me, but I feel like I've handled it very well [by] just knowing my playbook [and] just being Dallas," said Turner, noting he's acting like a sponge to soak up knowledge from veterans.

One of those veterans is Christian Darrisaw – Minnesota's star left tackle who Turner laughingly calls "Money Man" because of the lucrative four-year contract extension that was signed earlier in the week.

"I ain't going to lie, he's hard [to go against]," Turner said. "He definitely deserved every single coin of that. … I know if I go against a guy like that in practice every day, I know the game is going to be easy."

Their battles on the grass are producing an apprenticeship of sorts for Turner, the 17^th overall pick.

"I definitely ask him a lot of questions about what he sees from his perspective," said Turner, sharing an example of a teaching moment, "What is he looking at when he's looking at a pass rusher like myself?"

Turner wants to know when Darrisaw is striking his hands, and what signals he might unconsciously be giving away. It's a favorable circumstance for Turner – you can't be the best if you can't beat the best.