NFL Prospect Dies Week Before The 2024 Draft

MOBILE, AL – FEBRUARY 03: A general view of the score board sign The Draft Starts in Mobile from inside of Hancock Whitney Stadium on the campus of the University of South Alabama after the 2024 Reese’s Senior Bowl on February 3, 2024 in Mobile, Alabama. The National Team defeated the American Team 16 to 7. (Photo by Don Juan Moore/Getty Images) Don Juan Moore/Getty Images

A player who was potentially set to be drafted in next week’s 2024 NFL Draft has tragically died.

Amitral “AJ” Simon, a former defensive end at the University of Albany, died on Wednesday at the age of 25.

“AJ was a tremendous young man and even better teammate throughout his time at UAlbany,” said Great Danes head coach Greg Gattuso.

“He was a role model both on and off the field, serving as a pillar to this program over the last two years. He will be profoundly missed.”

Gattuso called the two years that he coached Simon “joyous,” and noted that he dedicated his prayers to Simon’s family.

Simon declared for the NFL Draft after the 2023 college football season, and he had hopes of making it to the league either as a draft pick or an undrafted free agent.

Simon recorded 12.5 sacks in his final college season, including multiple three-sack games against Villanova and Fordham. He also forced two fumbles and had 21.5 tackles for loss in 2023.

Simon helped lead Albany on their run to the FCS semifinals this season, where they lost to eventual national champions South Dakota State.

He had one of the best performances of his college career in 2022, recording two sacks in a game against the Baylor Bears of the Big 12.

“Never became best friends with someone so fast,” said former teammate Brian Abraham.

“The love, the joy, the laughs, and the drive we shared is now immortalized in our memories. I’m so proud to call you my brother!”

“Words can’t express who he was, what he meant to so many and how big his smile was,” said associate head coach Jared Ambrose.

“He brought light to everyone who came across him. Gone too soon but he’s part of us forever.”

Rest in peace to AJ Simon, and our thoughts and condolences go out to his family and friends.