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William Davis, a Sam Houston State Bearkats football player who transferred to the school after playing one year with the West Virginia Mountaineers, has died. He was 22 years old.
Sam Houston State head coach Phil Longo released a statement confirming the defensive back’s death on Sunday.
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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. He played 19 games with 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 ready to compete for a spot on Sam Houston State’s roster. He graduated from West Virginia in 2025 with a master of science in sports management. He expressed his excitement about continuing his college career with the Bearkats.
“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 for me to play somewhere where I fit perfectly into the culture if I was going to be so geographically distant.
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 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.”
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The cause of Davis’ death was not announced.
