Big 12 Football Player Jeremiah Kelly Dies Unexpectedly

The Big 12 is mourning the sudden death of a Cincinnati football player. On Tuesday, the Bearcats confirmed the passing of freshman Jeremiah Kelly, who died unexpectedly at his residence.

“The Bearcats football family is heartbroken by the sudden loss of this outstanding young man,” said Cincinnati head coach Scott Satterfield in a press release about the news. “In the short time Jeremiah has spent with our team, he has made a real impact, both on the field and in our locker room. My prayers are with the Kelly family and those who had the pleasure of knowing Jeremiah.”

We are mourning the loss of @GoBearcatsFB freshman Jeremiah Kelly, who passed unexpectedly at his residence early Tuesday morning.

Our hearts are with the Kelly family as well as Jeremiah's friends and teammates.

📝: https://t.co/YcR8I6unek pic.twitter.com/VNjCUMdIs7

— Cincinnati Bearcats (@GoBEARCATS) April 22, 2025

A native of Avon, Ohio, Kelly graduated from Avon High School, where he helped lead the Eagles to a 16-0 record and the school’s first state championship in 2024. He earned first-team all-conference and all-district honors and was named the SWC Lineman of the Year as a senior. The Plain Dealer ranked him among Northeast Ohio’s Top 25 prospects.

Kelly was an early enrollee who practiced with the football team this spring semester.

“We’ve suffered a heartbreaking loss today,” said Cincinnati director of athletics John Cunningham. “All of us at UC send our love and prayers to the Kelly family and we will do everything that we can to support them and our Bearcats student-athletes in the difficult days and weeks ahead.”

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