College football player Amitral “AJ” Simon is dead. He died just one week before he might have fulfilled his pro ball dreams, his former university announced Wednesday.
Simon, 25, transferred to the University of Albany in New York, where he played as a defensive lineman with the Great Danes in 2022 and 2023.
The Danes said on their social media page that they will miss AJ “profoundly.”
“AJ was a tremendous young man and even better teammate throughout this time at UAlbany,” the school said.”He was a role model on and off the field, serving as a pillar to this program over the last two years.”
However, no one from AJ’s side has given a cause of the death.
Simon was eligible for this week’s NFL draft and according to NBC Sport, had recently visited New England.
He announced his decision to join the draft in December after his team on the team ended. Simon described his collegiate career with the Great Dane as “pivotal” in shaping his path to the NFL draft. He said it made him a better person on and off the field.
Error: No feed found.
Please go to the Instagram Feed settings page to create a feed.
AJ wrote, “I am thrilled to represent the University of Albany as I take this next step in my football career.” “Sad that it’s over, but grateful that it happened. On that note, I will enter my name in the 2024 NFL Draft.”
The Coastal Athletic Association named AJ Simon and other players in February that made the Comissioner’s Academic Honor Roll. This list requires students to maintain at least a 3.0 grade-point average.
