The Utah State University football community is mourning the devastating loss of one of their own, cornerback Andre Seldon Jr., who tragically passed away in a cliff-diving accident on Saturday. Seldon, a 22-year-old transfer student from New Mexico State University, was set to start classes and join the Aggies football team this fall.
The incident occurred just 20 miles from Utah State’s campus, near the Porcupine Reservoir in Cache County, Utah. According to CNN, local deputies were called to the scene around 2:20 p.m. MT after Seldon dove from the cliffs into the water and failed to resurface. After an extensive search and rescue operation, his body was recovered from the reservoir later that evening.
Interim Head Coach Nate Dreiling expressed the team’s heartbreak, stating, “Our football program is heartbroken to have to endure the loss of one of our own.” Seldon had previously played for the University of Michigan and New Mexico State University, and was described by Dreiling as “an incredible person and teammate.”
This tragic event has left the Utah State community, as well as Seldon’s family and friends, devastated. In this article, we will honor the life and legacy of Andre Seldon Jr., a promising young athlete whose life was cut short far too soon.
Andre Seldon Jr. began his collegiate football career at the University of Michigan in 2020. He spent two seasons with the Wolverines, where he saw limited playing time as a defensive back. In 2022, Seldon made the decision to transfer to New Mexico State University, where he became a starter and a key contributor to the Aggies’ defense.
At New Mexico State, Seldon started in 12 out of 13 games during the 2022 season. He ranked fifth on the team in total tackles, showcasing his prowess as a physical and aggressive cornerback. Seldon’s performance with the Aggies had earned him the opportunity to continue his academic and athletic pursuits at Utah State University, where he was set to join the Aggies football team this fall.
Utah State CB Andre Seldon Jr., who had transferred from New Mexico State, died Saturday in an apparent drowning at a Utah reservoir, according to the school. He was 22.
— ESPN College Football (@ESPNCFB) July 21, 2024
More: https://t.co/ys7gj8CqTV pic.twitter.com/mdl7z21Rzl
The fatal incident occurred on Saturday, July 22nd, near the Porcupine Reservoir in Cache County, Utah. According to reports, Seldon dove from the cliffs into the water and failed to resurface. Local authorities were alerted, and a search and rescue operation was immediately launched. Tragically, Seldon’s body was recovered from the reservoir later that evening by the Utah Department of Public Safety dive team.
The Utah State University community has been deeply affected by the loss of Andre Seldon Jr. Interim Head Coach Nate Dreiling expressed the team’s grief, stating that the football program is “heartbroken to have to endure the loss of one of our own.” Dreiling had a previous relationship with Seldon during their time together at New Mexico State, and described him as “an incredible person and teammate.”
The Utah State University community is mourning the death of football student-athlete Andre Seldon Jr.
— USU Football (@USUFootball) July 21, 2024
Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and loved ones. pic.twitter.com/cIScmcewp5
The university has also extended its condolences to Seldon’s family, acknowledging the tremendous loss they are experiencing. The Aggies football team and the entire Utah State community are grieving the untimely passing of a young athlete whose promising future was tragically cut short.
Andre Seldon Jr. was a talented and dedicated football player who had a bright future ahead of him. His collegiate journey took him from the University of Michigan to New Mexico State University, and finally to Utah State University, where he was poised to contribute to the Aggies’ defense.
Seldon’s commitment to the sport and his teammates was evident in his on-field performance. At New Mexico State, he emerged as a key defensive player, ranking fifth on the team in total tackles. This impressive showing had earned him the opportunity to continue his academic and athletic pursuits at Utah State, where he was set to start classes and join the Aggies football team this fall.
Beyond his athletic prowess, Seldon was described as an “incredible person and teammate” by his former coach, Nate Dreiling. This suggests that Seldon was not only a talented football player, but also a compassionate and respected individual within the teams he was a part of.
The tragic nature of Seldon’s passing has left the Utah State community, as well as his family and friends, deeply saddened. His untimely death serves as a sobering reminder of the fragility of life and the importance of cherishing every moment.
The passing of Andre Seldon Jr. is a profound loss for the Utah State University community and the world of collegiate athletics. This promising young athlete, whose collegiate journey had taken him from Michigan to New Mexico State and finally to Utah State, had a bright future ahead of him.
Seldon’s dedication to the sport, his talent on the field, and his character as a teammate and friend have all been highlighted in the wake of this tragedy. The Utah State Aggies, as well as the entire Utah State community, are mourning the loss of a talented athlete and a remarkable individual whose life was tragically cut short.
As we remember Andre Seldon Jr., let us honor his legacy by celebrating the passion and commitment he brought to the game of football, and the positive impact he had on those around him. Though his time with us was all too brief, Seldon’s memory will live on, inspiring future generations of athletes to strive for excellence both on and off the field.
