Former WVU defensive back dead at 22 years old

A former West Virginia defensive back tragically passed away this weekend.

William Davis, who played for the Mountaineers in 2025 before transferring to Sam Houston State and spending the spring season with the Bearkats, was found dead at the age of 22 years old. The news was reported by multiple sources on Sunday afternoon before the university confirmed the news to Chron.

College football player William Davis confirmed dead at 22 years old

Rumors were circulating online as to the cause of death, but no official announcement on how Davis passed had been made as of Sunday evening. Davis transferred to the Mountaineers last season to play for Rich Rodriguez, and played in just one game for the program against Robert Morris.

After the season, he entered the portal and transferred to Sam Houston State. He spent the spring season with the Bearkats, who play in the Conference USA. Chron reports that Sam Houston State plans to honor Davis this season, though their exact plans have not been announced.

"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."

Before playing for the Mountaineers, Davis sepnt three seasons at the Division 2 level, playing at HBCU Virginia Union. He was named an All-Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) selection during the 2024 season, finishing his camp 56 tackles, 11.5 tackles for loss, two interceptions, and one sack.

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