William Davis, a newly transferred football player at Texas’ Sam Houston State University, has passed away. The program confirmed this news on May 17. 

Davis was 22.

“It is with heavy hearts that we mourn the loss of Will Davis,” head football coach Phil Longo said in a statement. 

The defensive back reportedly passed away on May 16, but the cause of his passing has neither been officially revealed nor confirmed. 

“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,” Longo further stated. 

Davis was a graduate senior from South Boston, Virginia. He had previously played for two other programs before eventually joining Sam Houston, just before spring practice.

According to Chron, in 2024, Davis earned all-conference honors in the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA).

That year, he had recorded 56 tackles, 11.5 tackles for loss, two interceptions, and one sack for Virginia Union, an HBCU. Davis had spent three seasons there from 2022 to 2024.

He then transferred to West Virginia in the following season but played in only one game, the season-opener, which they won against Robert Morris. Davis knew he wanted to remain at Sam Houston, which was close to home.

William Davis’ Dreams At Sam Houston State University

William Davis’ football journey took him to many places, from the CIAA to the Big 12 and eventually to Conference USA.

Football fans would never see the 22-year-old play for Sam Houston; the Virginia native had found his footing in Texas.

“Sam Houston felt like home from the moment I first set foot on campus,” he 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.”

Before his sudden and tragic demise, Davis had shared his dreams to contribute to the program to the best of his abilities.

“My leadership and football IQ will help me be an anchor for our secondary throughout this upcoming season,” he had shared per Chron.

While he was talented on the football field, Davis was academically inclined, too. He graduated from Virginia Union in 2024 with a bachelor’s degree in entrepreneurial management. 

Our thoughts remain with Davis’ family.

Read more at Michigan Football Community.

Written by

Akanksha Biradar