William Davis, a defensive back for Sam Houston State University, died Saturday, the school confirmed to Chron. Davis’ cause of death was not announced as of Sunday evening.
Davis, 22, starred in three seasons with Virginia Union from 2022-24, a Division II HBCU program. He earned all-conference honors in the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) in 2024, a year in which he tallied 56 tackles, 11.5 tackles for loss, two interceptions, and one sack. He then transferred to West Virginia for the 2025 season but played in just one game—the Mountaineers’ season-opening win over Robert Morris. Davis transferred to Sam Houston State in January, and he then joined the Bearkats for spring practices in Huntsville in April.
“Sam Houston felt like home from the moment I first set foot on campus,” Davis said in February after his commitment to SHSU. “As a Virginia kid that had played every snap of football in my life within driving distance of home, it was important to me that I’d play somewhere where I fit seamlessly into the culture if I was going to be so distant geographically.
“My leadership and football IQ will help me be an anchor for our secondary throughout this upcoming season.”
Multiple social media accounts related to Sam Houston State and college football reported news of Davis’ death Sunday afternoon. High school and college coaches, as well as representatives for Nilson Sports, the NIL agency representing Davis, replied to the news with their condolences.
Davis earned a bachelor’s degree in entrepreneurial management from Virginia Union in 2024. He is a native of South Boston, Virginia.