Former University at Albany defensive lineman Amitral AJ Simon has died at age 25, the school announced Wednesday, just a week before the NFL draft in which he hoped to be chosen.

AJ was a tremendous young man and even better teammate throughout his time at UAlbany, the university wrote on its football programs X account. He was a role model both on and off the field, serving as a pillar to this program over the last two years.

Simon recorded 55 tackles and was credited with 12.5 sacks in the 2023 season, earning all-Coastal Athletic Association first-team honors .