NEED TO KNOW
A college football player has died at the age of 22
William Davis recently transferred to Sam Houston State University in Texas
The Virginia native had a standout 2024 season at Virginia Union, a Division II HBCU
William Davis, a rising college football star who recently transferred to Sam Houston State University in Texas, has died at the age of 22, the school announced.
“It is with heavy hearts that we mourn the loss of Will Davis,” Sam Houston State head football coach Phil Longo said in a statement on Sunday, May 17. “Will was a beloved member of our Bearkat football family here at Sam Houston who touched the lives of everyone he knew. Will was an upbeat, positive, passionate young man who will be sincerely missed.”
Davis’ cause of death was not immediately known.
The graduate senior from South Boston, Va., joined the Sam Houston program last month just before spring practice, after playing at West Virginia and Virginia Union, a Division II HBCU, according to the Houston Chronicle.
William Davis
Credit: William Davis/Instagram
At Virginia Union in 2024, he earned all-conference honors after tallying 56 tackles, two interceptions and making one sack. While at the school, Davis earned his bachelor’s degree in entrepreneurial management.
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Davis transferred to West Virginia for the 2025 season in which he only played in the Mountaineers’ season-opener.
Now, his new team joins those who are mourning the defensive back.
“We lost a member of our Bearkat family this weekend and everyone is in pain today,” Sam Houston athletic director Bobby Williams said in a statement. “My heart hurts right now for the family, friends, coaches and teammates of William Davis. We are never prepared when we lose someone suddenly in our lives and it’s especially tough when it is someone so young and still has a full life in front of them. I want to express my sincerest condolences to Will’s family and everyone whose lives he touched.”
Read the original article on People