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William Davis, the Sam Houston State Bearkats football player who transferred to the school after playing one year with the West Virginia Mountaineers, reportedly died from a gunshot wound to the chest.
The Virginia Office of the Chief Medical Examiner said it is unclear whether this is a homicide and that the manner of Davis' death is pending, according to TMZ.
Sam Houston State head coach Phil Longo released a statement Sunday confirming the 22-year-old's death.
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William Davis participating in spring training at Sam Houston State. (Sam Houston State University)
“It is with great sadness 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 met.
“Will was an optimistic, positive and passionate young man who will be truly missed. Tanya, the children and I are praying for Will's family during this difficult time.”
Davis began his college career at Virginia Union, playing in 19 games and recording five interceptions and one touchdown. After the 2024 season, he transferred to West Virginia and played one game for them.
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Former Western Virginia Mountaineers defensive back William Davis died in May 2026. (West Virginia University)
Davis graduated from West Virginia with a master of science in sports management in 2025. He was ready to compete for a spot on Sam Houston State's roster and said the campus felt like home.
“Sam Houston felt at 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 in my life within walking distance of home, it was important to me to play somewhere where I fit perfectly into the culture if I was going to be so geographically distant.”
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“The ability to play for coach Dovonte Edwards, someone with experience playing in the NFL who can show me the blueprint of what it's like to become the type of player who can achieve success at the highest level, was a motivating factor for me as well.”
Fox News' Ryan Gaydos contributed to this report.
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