Diondre Overton, national champion wide receiver from Clemson, dies at 26

Diondre Overton, a former wide receiver who won two national championships with the Clemson Tigers, has died, the school announced Saturday. He was 26.

Overton played all four seasons with the Tigers from 2016 to 2019. He played for the Tigers when they won the national championship in 2016 and 2018. He had 52 receptions for 777 yards and seven touchdowns.

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FILE – Clemson’s Diondre Overton performs drills during warm-ups before an NCAA college football game against Wake Forest, November 16, 2019, in Clemson, South Carolina. (AP Photo/Richard Shiro, archive)

“Clemson Football and the entire Clemson family mourns the passing of Clemson alumnus Diondre Overton,” Clemson said in a post on X. “Our thoughts are with his family and friends.”

No other details about his death were released. A university official told The Associated Press that the school learned of Overton’s death and contacted authorities in Greensboro, North Carolina, to confirm it.

Tigers coach Dabo Swinney spoke about Overton’s death following the team’s 66-20 victory over Appalachian State on Saturday night.

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Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney stops to pay tribute to former Clemson player Diondre Overton while walking to the stadium prior to the NCAA college football game against Appalachian State, Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024, in Clemson, South Carolina. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)

“I couldn’t breathe this morning,” Swinney said. “He was truly one of the sweetest kids to ever come in here. My heart aches.”

Overton has not had a chance to play in the NFL during the regular season. He has played in the USFL and United Football League the past two years. Last year, he played for the Memphis Showboats.

Clemson wide receiver Diondre Overton (14) is embraced by his teammate, wide receiver Joseph Ngata (10) in the end zone in the first quarter at Memorial Stadium prior to the game against Boston College in Clemson, South Carolina, Saturday, October 26, 2019. (Ken Ruinard/Staff, The Greenville News via Imagn Content Services, LLC)

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“The United Football League and the Memphis Showboats are heartbroken and mourning the tragic loss of Diondre Overton,” the UFL said. “Our hearts and prayers go out to Diondre’s family, friends and teammates. We offer our sincere condolences during this difficult time.”

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Ryan Gaydos is a senior editor at Fox News Digital.