Tragic news has struck the football community just one week before the NFL Draft, as college football standout AJ Simon, aged 25, has passed away. Simon, who recently completed his tenure as a defensive lineman for the University of Albany’s Great Danes during the 2022-2023 season, was described by the university as a beloved figure who will be deeply missed.
The cause of Simon’s untimely death has not been disclosed at this time.
Simon had been a promising prospect for the NFL Draft, with reports indicating that he had even visited the New England Patriots in anticipation of the event. He had declared his intention to enter the draft back in December, following the conclusion of his collegiate career, citing his time at Albany as instrumental in his development both as a player and as a person.
His contributions extended beyond the field, as Simon was recognized for his academic achievements, earning a spot on the Coastal Athletic Association’s Commissioner’s Academic Honor Roll earlier this year for maintaining a GPA of at least 3.0.
During his time on the gridiron, Simon’s performance was nothing short of impressive, tallying 12.5 sacks and over 20 tackles in the previous season, according to reports from NBC Sports.
Albany’s head coach, Greg Gattuso, took to social media to express his sorrow over Simon’s passing, reminiscing about the joyous moments shared during their time together. “My prayers are with the Simon family,” Gattuso wrote, adding, “I love you AJ and will always hold a special place in my heart for #8.”
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