College Football Star Dies Suddenly at Age 18
University of Cincinnati football standout Jeremiah Kelly has died “expectedly at his residence,” the university’s Department of Athletics wrote in a statement.
The cause of death was not given.
The university “is mourning the loss of freshman football student-athlete , who passed unexpectedly at his residence early Tuesday morning” April 22, 2025, the statement reads.
"The Bearcats football family is heartbroken by the sudden loss of this outstanding young man,” the team’s football coach Scott Satterfield said. "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."
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,” the release says.
We are mourning the loss of @GoBearcatsFB freshman Jeremiah Kelly, who passed unexpectedly at his residence early Tuesday morning.
— Cincinnati Bearcats (@GoBEARCATS) April 22, 2025
Our hearts are with the Kelly family as well as Jeremiah's friends and teammates.
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“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,” it notes.
Kelly “was an early enrollee who practiced with the football team this spring semester,” the release added.
"We've suffered a heartbreaking loss today," said the 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."
People offered condolences on the university's X thread.
"Lost a GREAT one! You will be missed," wrote one person.