Former Albany defensive lineman AJ Simon, a 2024 NFL Draft hopeful, passed away at age 25, the school announced Wednesday.
“The UAlbany football program was deeply saddened to learn of the passing of former student-athlete Amitral ‘AJ’ Simon this morning,” Albany said in a statement. posted on social media. “AJ was a tremendous young man and an even better teammate during his time at UAlbany. He was a role model on and off the field, serving as a pillar for this program the last two years. He will be deeply missed.”
Simon’s cause of death was not immediately announced.
Simon earned first-team All-CAA honors after recording 55 tackles and 12.5 sacks last season. ESPN ranked the defensive lineman as the 448th prospect in next week’s NFL draft.
“Two happy years coaching and becoming friends with AJ Simon,” Albany coach Greg Gattuso said in a statement on social media. “My prayers are dedicated to the Simon family. I love you, AJ, and I will always have a special place in my heart for number 8.”
Simon played two seasons at Albany. He was a student-athlete at Bloomsburg University before attending Albany. He was from Tobyhanna, Pennsylvania.
This article originally appeared in USA TODAY: UAlbany NFL Draft hopeful AJ Simon passes away at 25
