Jeremiah Kelly , a freshman offensive lineman at the University of Cincinnati and standout high school football player from Avon, Ohio, died unexpectedly at his residence early Tuesday morning. He was 18 years old.
The university and Cincinnati police have not released an official cause of death. However, according to a GoFundMe page created to support his family, Kelly tragically "passed away unexpectedly in his sleep."
Kelly had recently joined the Bearcats as an early enrollee and was participating in spring practice.
“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.”
John Cunningham, Cincinnati's athletic director, expressed the school’s grief: “We’ve suffered a heartbreaking loss today. 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.”
Kelly stood 6'3" and weighed 320 pounds. He had a dominant high school career at Avon High School , where he helped lead the Eagles to an undefeated 16-0 season and the school’s first state championship in 2024. He earned first-team all-conference and all-district honors, and was named Southwestern Conference Lineman of the Year.
The loss has deeply affected both the Cincinnati and Avon communities. Avon City Schools Superintendent Billy Hodge informed families and staff in a letter on Tuesday:
“It is with great sadness that we share with you the news of the death of an Avon student Jeremiah Kelly. Jeremiah was a senior at our high school. As we know from past tragedies, no words can console or explain what the student’s family and our Eagles must be experiencing.”
Support services have been made available for students, with the Avon High School football stadium open until 5 p.m. Tuesday for those wishing to gather in Kelly’s memory. School counselors and crisis teams are on hand to support students and staff.
Jeremiah Kelly’s passing has left a profound void among those who knew him, both in his hometown and at the University of Cincinnati.
The university and Cincinnati police have not released an official cause of death. However, according to a GoFundMe page created to support his family, Kelly tragically "passed away unexpectedly in his sleep."
Kelly had recently joined the Bearcats as an early enrollee and was participating in spring practice.
“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 are mourning the loss of @GoBearcatsFB freshman Jeremiah Kelly, who passed unexpectedly at his residence early Tuesday morning.
— Cincinnati Bearcats (@GoBEARCATS) April 22, 2025
Our hearts are with the Kelly family as well as Jeremiah's friends and teammates.
📝: https://t.co/YcR8I6unek pic.twitter.com/VNjCUMdIs7
John Cunningham, Cincinnati's athletic director, expressed the school’s grief: “We’ve suffered a heartbreaking loss today. 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.”
Kelly stood 6'3" and weighed 320 pounds. He had a dominant high school career at Avon High School , where he helped lead the Eagles to an undefeated 16-0 season and the school’s first state championship in 2024. He earned first-team all-conference and all-district honors, and was named Southwestern Conference Lineman of the Year.
The loss has deeply affected both the Cincinnati and Avon communities. Avon City Schools Superintendent Billy Hodge informed families and staff in a letter on Tuesday:
“It is with great sadness that we share with you the news of the death of an Avon student Jeremiah Kelly. Jeremiah was a senior at our high school. As we know from past tragedies, no words can console or explain what the student’s family and our Eagles must be experiencing.”
Support services have been made available for students, with the Avon High School football stadium open until 5 p.m. Tuesday for those wishing to gather in Kelly’s memory. School counselors and crisis teams are on hand to support students and staff.
Jeremiah Kelly’s passing has left a profound void among those who knew him, both in his hometown and at the University of Cincinnati.
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