AJ Simon, an Albany University standout and NFL draft hopeful, has died.
He was 25.
No cause of death has been reported.
Albany coach Greg Gattuso posted about Simon’s death on X, formerly Twitter.
“Two joyous years coaching and becoming friends with AJ Simon,” he wrote. “My prayers are dedicated to the Simon family. I love you AJ and will always have a special player in my heart for #8.”
The 6-foot-1, 267-pound defensive lineman is a native of Tobyhanna, and played his high school football at Pocono Mountain West in Monroe County. He signed with Bloomsburg out of high school and was first-team All-PSAC in 2021.
He then transferred to Albany where he was also an impact player. Simon was a first-team All-CAA defensive end last season, helping the team get to the FCS playoffs. Simon had 12.5 sacks last season with 74 pressures and 21.5 tackles for loss.
He had reportedly taken a pre-draft visit to meet with the New England Patriots ahead of the upcoming NFL Draft.
The Athletic draft expert Dane Brugler had Simon rated as the 36th-best edge rusher in the draft and rated him as a priority free agent.
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