Former Jackson State Football Star Levi Wyatt Jr. Dead at 24

The news hit the locker room circuit like a cold front rolling through Tampa this morning, and I’m still trying to process it. League sources confirm that former Jackson State defensive back Levi Wyatt Jr. has passed away. The initial report came from Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman), who posted the heartbreaking news on social media early Sunday. The circumstances surrounding his death have not been released, and those close to the situation say the family is asking for privacy as they grieve. Right now, the priority is respect, not speculation.

Wyatt Jr. wasn't a guy who made the big Pro Bowl rosters, but if you covered the SWAC or paid attention to HBCU pipelines, you knew his name. He was a physical, instinctive corner who played with a chip on his shoulder, the kind of defensive back NFL scouts would fly down to Jackson, Mississippi, to clock in person. He went undrafted, but the front office in a couple of places quietly kept tabs on his workout numbers. He was trying to carve out a spot on a practice squad and had been grinding through the summer circuit, hoping to get a look after the preseason cuts.

The front office has been quiet this morning, which is standard protocol until the family releases a statement. But I’ve been around long enough to know that when a young man in his twenties dies suddenly, the league office gets involved, and the player wellness department will reach out to former teammates and coaches. Jackson State will likely hold a moment of silence at their next team gathering, and you can bet some of his former Tigers teammates will be wearing his jersey number during warmups this fall.

What matters most right now is not his workout times or his coverage stats. It’s that a 25-year-old kid with a dream is gone. The cause of death is unconfirmed, and anyone telling you otherwise is guessing. The next step is waiting for the official family statement and the autopsy report if the county releases it, which can take weeks. For the football community, this is a sobering reminder that these young men are more than just camp bodies. They're sons, brothers, and teammates. My thoughts are with Levi’s people down in Jackson. It’s a rough day, and I’ll update this space as soon as more verified details come through.

Source: https://x.com/NFL_DovKleiman/status/2084034290820563033