Sam Houston State Defensive Back William Davis Dies at 22

William Davis, a 22-year-old defensive back set to play for Sam Houston State University this fall, died on Saturday in Huntsville, Texas. His death was confirmed by the university, which said it was deeply saddened by his passing.

Davis was a transfer student who had joined the Sam Houston State program in January after previously playing at West Virginia University and Virginia Union University. He had completed spring practices with the Bearkats and was preparing for his final season of college football. A cause of death has not been officially released.

Davis began his collegiate career at Virginia Union, a Historically Black College and University in Richmond. There, he earned all-conference honors in the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association during the 2024 season, recording 56 tackles, two interceptions, and a sack. He helped his team win the CIAA championship that year. He transferred to West Virginia for the 2025 season, appearing in one game, before moving to Sam Houston State.

In a statement released after his commitment to Sam Houston State in February, Davis said the campus felt like home from the moment he first set foot there. He noted that as a Virginia...