UPDATE: 5/21/26 at 10:28 a.m. — Sam Houston State University football player William Davis died from gunshot wounds to the chest, TMZ reported on Wednesday, May 20.
The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Virginia, where Davis died, told the outlet it is still determining his manner of death, which has not yet been ruled a homicide.
Original story below:
The college football community is in mourning after the sudden death of Sam Houston defensive back William Davis at the age of 22.
“We are deeply saddened by the passing of William Davis,” Sam Houston Football shared via Instagram on Monday, May 18. “All of our thoughts and prayers are with the Davis family today.”
Head coach Phil Longo also confirmed Davis’ death in a statement posted online.
“It is with heavy hearts that we mourn the loss of Will Davis,” Longo shared via X on Sunday, May 17. “Will was a beloved member of our FB family who touched the lives of everyone he knew. He was a super passionate young man who will be sincerely missed. Tanya & I are praying for Will’s family during this difficult time.”
Celebrity Deaths of 2026: Barney Frank and More We Lost This Year
Davis’ cause of death and other details surrounding his death have yet to be revealed.
The athlete started his collegiate career at Virginia Union. He played 19 games with the school before transferring to West Virginia after the 2024 season.
In January, he transferred to Sam Houston, where he was set to compete for a roster spot.
“Sam Houston felt like home from the moment I first set foot on campus,” Davis previously shared, via Nilson Sports. “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.”
In one of his final social media posts before his death, Davis shared a glimpse into his mindset as he prepared for another season of football.
Celebs Who Are Massive College Football Fans
“I have to prove to myself that I am who I say I am. #LLMYANGELS❤️🩹 #🐢,” he wrote via Instagram on April 11.
As friends and loved ones wait for any confirmed funeral arrangements, Davis’ death is being felt across campus.
“We lost a member of our Bearkat family this weekend and everyone is in pain today,” Sam Houston athletic director Bobby Williams said in a statement. “My heart hurts right now for the family, friends, coaches and teammates of William Davis. We are never prepared when we lose someone suddenly in our lives and it’s especially tough when it is someone so young and still has a full life in front of them. I want to express my sincerest condolences to Will’s family and everyone whose lives he touched.”
