CINCINNATI (WCMH) — An incoming freshman football player for the Cincinnati Bearcats died unexpectedly Tuesday morning at the age of 18.
The program announced the death of offensive lineman Jeremiah Kelly, an Avon, Ohio native who was at his residence. A cause of death has not been announced.
After helping Avon High School to a state championship last year, Kelly committed to join the Bearcats and practiced with the team this spring as an early enrollee. He was considered one of the top football prospects out of northeast Ohio in 2025.
“The Bearcats football family is heartbroken by the sudden loss of this outstanding young man,” said head coach Scott Satterfield. “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’ve suffered a heartbreaking loss today,” said 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.”