Albany football player AJ Simon dies days before NFL draft

A former Albany football star who helped them get to the semifinals of the FCS playoffs in 2023 died just days before he was set to be entered into the NFL Draft.

Amitral 'AJ' Simon died of unknown causes at age 25 on Wednesday, according to a post from the team.

'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.

"Words can't express who he was, what he meant to so many and how big his smile was," associate head coach at UAlbany Jared Ambrose said about him. "He brought light to everyone who came across him. Gone too soon but he’s part of us forever."

Teammate Taylor O'Connor said Simon had kept contact since leaving the team at the end of last season and said he was "kind and appreciative."