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William Davis, a Sam Houston State Bearkats football player who transferred to the school after playing a year with the West Virginia Mountaineers, has died. He was 22 years old.
Sam Houston State head coach Phil Longo released a statement Sunday confirming the defensive back’s death.
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William Davis participates in spring practice at Sam Houston State. (Sam Houston State University)
“It is with heavy hearts that we mourn the loss of Will Davis,” Longo said in a statement. “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 optimistic, positive and passionate young man who will be sincerely missed. Tanya, the children and I are praying for Will’s family during this difficult time.”
Davis began his college career at Virginia Union. He played in 19 games for the school and recorded five interceptions and one touchdown. He transferred to West Virginia after the 2024 season and played one game for the Mountaineers.
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He was poised to compete for a roster spot at Sam Houston State. He graduated from West Virginia in 2025 with a Master of Science degree in sports management. He expressed his excitement about continuing his collegiate career with the Bearkats.
“Sam Houston felt like home from the moment I stepped foot on campus,” he said via Nilson Sports. “As a kid from Virginia who had played every football game of my life within a short drive of my home, it was important to me to play in a place where I would fit right in with the culture if I had to be so far away geographically.
Former Western Virginia Mountaineers defensive back William Davis died in May 2026. (West Virginia University)
“The ability to play for Coach Dovonte Edwards, someone with NFL experience who can show me what it looks like to become the type of player who can succeed at the highest level, has also been a motivating factor for me.”
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Davis’ cause of death has not been announced.
