Tragic Death of William Davis, Sam Houston State Football Player

William Davis, a football player for the Sam Houston State Bearkats, has reportedly died from a gunshot wound to the chest. He had transferred to Sam Houston after spending a year with the West Virginia Mountaineers.

The cause of death is still unclear, and the Virginia Office of the Chief Medical Examiner has noted that it is uncertain whether it was a homicide.

Sam Houston State’s head coach, Phil Longo, confirmed the tragic news on Sunday, expressing deep sorrow over the loss of the 22-year-old player. “It is with a deep heart that we mourn the passing of Will Davis,” Longo said. “He was a beloved member of the Bearcat football family and touched the lives of everyone he knew.”

The coach further reflected on Davis’s character, noting that he was a cheerful and positive person who will be deeply missed. He extended thoughts and prayers to Davis’s family during this tough time.

Davis began his collegiate journey at Virginia Union, where he played in 19 games, recording five interceptions and one touchdown. After the 2024 season, he transferred to West Virginia, appearing in just a single game.

He graduated from West Virginia University in 2025 with a Master’s degree in Sports Management and had recently expressed excitement about competing for a roster spot at Sam Houston. He described the campus as feeling like home, saying it was important for him to find a place that matched his culture, especially coming from Virginia.

In his own words, he said, “Sam Houston felt like home from the moment I first stepped on campus. Being able to play for coach Dovontae Edwards, who has experience playing in the NFL, was also a motivating factor for me.”