The college football community is mourning the loss of promising young athlete William Davis, a former HBCU standout and Sam Houston State defensive back, who passed away at the age of 22.
Davis, who recently transferred to Sam Houston State University after stints at Virginia Union University and West Virginia University, was regarded as one of the rising defensive talents in college football. News of his sudden death surfaced on May 17, 2026, sending shockwaves across the HBCU football community and beyond.
Who Was William Davis?
William Davis was a talented defensive back who began his collegiate football career at Virginia Union University, a respected historically Black university known for its strong football program.
During his time at Virginia Union from 2022 to 2024, Davis emerged as a key contributor on defense. His breakout 2024 season earned him All-CIAA honors after recording 56 tackles, 11.5 tackles for loss, two interceptions and one sack. He also helped Virginia Union secure back-to-back CIAA championships.
Following his successful HBCU run, Davis transferred to West Virginia University for the 2025 season before later joining Sam Houston State University in January 2026.
Sam Houston State Confirms His Death
Sam Houston State University confirmed Davis’ passing through an official statement shared with media outlets, including TMZ.
Head football coach Phil Longo described Davis as an “upbeat, positive, passionate young man” who made a strong impact on everyone around him. The university also revealed plans to honor him during the 2026 football season.
According to reports, Davis had recently joined the Bearkats for spring workouts and was preparing for a fresh start with the program ahead of the upcoming season.
What Was William Davis’ Cause of Death?
As of now, no official cause of death has been released by Davis’ family or Sam Houston State University.
Some online reports and social media discussions have speculated about the circumstances surrounding his death, but no official confirmation has been provided. Several outlets have stressed that the cause remains unverified at this stage.