William Davis, a 22-year-old defensive back set to play for Sam Houston State, has died. The school confirmed the news, a cause of death has not been released, and tributes poured in after a career spanning Virginia Union, West Virginia, and a January transfer
A sudden loss has shaken the college football community after William Davis died at the age of 22 on Saturday.. Davis. a defensive back who was due to play for Sam Houston State University in Texas this fall. was confirmed dead by the school. with no cause of death revealed or announced as of Sunday evening.
Sam Houston State said in a post on the football team’s account: “We are deeply saddened by the passing of William Davis.. All of our thoughts and prayers are with the Davis family today.” Head coach Phil Longo added in a statement: “It is with heavy hearts that we mourn the loss of Will Davis.. 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.. Tanya, the kids and I are praying for Will’s family during this difficult time.’”
Davis had spent three seasons at Division-II Virginia Union, a HBCU in his home state, where he earned all-conference honors in the 2024 campaign. In that 2024 season, he recorded 56 tackles, 11.5 tackles for a loss, a pair of interceptions and a sack.
This offseason, Davis transferred to Sam Houston State with the intention of playing out one more season of college football.. Before that move. he had transferred to West Virginia from Virginia Union. but only appeared in the Mountaineers’ season-opener against Robert Morris.. After deciding to switch again, Davis moved to Huntsville, Texas and began spring practices for the Bearkats.
In February. following his commitment to Sam Houston State. Davis described why the program felt like the right fit: “Sam Houston felt like home from the moment I first set foot on campus.. 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.”
With Davis’ death confirmed, tributes spread quickly online, especially in the comments under his Instagram posts.. Nilson Sports. the NIL agency Davis was working with. wrote: “More than a client. William Davis was a remarkable young man who left an impact on everyone fortunate enough to know him.. Our thoughts and prayers are with Will’s family, friends, teammates, and all who loved him.. Rest In Peace.” His NIL agent. Tristen Kuhn. posted: “Amazing Human. rest peacefully Will.” Luke Bengston. a wide receivers coach at South Dakota State who worked with Davis at Virginia Union. added: “Gutted for Will’s Family.. Terrific young man and leader.. Made others around him better.. Connected with all of his teammates/coaches on a personal level.. And did it all with that megawatt smile.”
The timeline of Davis’ final months helps explain the sharpness of the shock: he was set for Sam Houston State in the fall after transferring in January and starting spring practices. yet his previous switch from Virginia Union to West Virginia resulted in just one game.. The fact that his career included an all-conference 2024 season at Virginia Union. followed by rapid moves between programs. sits alongside the school’s statement that his family and the Bearkats community are in mourning as tributes continue.
William Davis Sam Houston State college football defensive back Virginia Union West Virginia tributes CIAA HBCU NIL