Top NFL Draft prospect Amitral “AJ” Simon Jr. has tragically passed away this Wednesday.

Simon, a first-team All-CAA defensive end for the University of Albany who played a significant role in the program’s trip to the NCAA FCS playoffs, is dead as the result of a heart attack. He was 25 years old.

UAlbany football took to Twitter/X to reveal as much on Wednesday afternoon in a heartfelt statement.

“The UAlbany football program was deeply saddened to learn of the passing of former student-athlete Amitral ‘AJ’ Simon this morning,” it reads. “AJ was a tremendous young man and even better teammate throughout his time at UAlbany. He was a role model both on and off the field, serving as a pillar to this program over the last two years. He will be profoundly missed.”

Head coach Greg Gattuso also paid tribute to his former player on social media.

He wrote, “Two joyous year[s] coaching and becoming friends with AJ Simon. My prayers are dedicated to the Simon family. I love you AJ and will always have a special place in my heart for #8.”

Top NFL Draft Prospect AJ Simon Was Hoping To Be Drafted In 2024

AJ Simon joined the Great Danes in 2022, having begun his college career at Bloomsburg University.

He registered 10.5 tackles for loss that season, adding five sacks. He took things up another level last season as he made 21.5 tackles for loss and 12.5 sacks, joining teammate and defensive end Anton Juncaj as the joint leaders of a pass rush boasting the most sacks in the FCS in 2023.

The star pass rusher recorded four games with multiple sacks last season, including three against Fordham and Villanova, plus two sacks and a forced fumble in UAlbany’s second-round FCS playoff victory vs. Richmond.

He left the Great Danes at the end of the 2023 season, hoping to be drafted this month.

Our hearts go out to AJ’s family, friends, teammates, and loved ones.

May he rest in peace.

Fearne Cotton has broken her silence on split from husband Jesse Wood in her first TV interview since the breakup.

Joining Lorraine Kelly on Monday’s episode of the ITV show, the TV presenter, 43, also gave an health update after having two tumours removed from jaw.

Fearne announced her split from Jesse, the son of Rolling Stones bass guitarist Ronnie Wood, in December after 10 years of marriage.

She has since made swipes at Jesse and moved on with TV director Elliot Hegarty, with the pair having been seen kissing during a recent night out.

Fearne has had a difficult few months after undergoing surgery to remove two benign tumours from her jawline, just days before her split with Jesse emerged.

She told host Lorraine: ‘It’s all very amicable and kids are doing great. I am in a very good place.’place.’

Fearne Cotton has broken her silence on split from husband Jesse Wood in her first TV interview since the breakup

Fearne announced her split from Jesse, the son of Rolling Stones bass guitarist Ronnie Wood , in December after 10 years of marriage (both pictured in February 2024)

Discussing her recent surgery, she added: ‘I feel very grateful to have completely recovered.

‘I feel really good. I have a lot of people reaching out who have had the same thing.’

Davina McCall, 56, announced in November she’d been diagnosed with a colloid cyst, a rare type of benign brain tumour, and has supported Fearne.

She continued: ‘Everyone needs a Davina. She’s been amazing, weird that we had the same health thing going on at the same time. She’s so calming and we speak every day. She is just the best

It comes after Fearne has seemingly made another thinly-veiled dig at her ex-husband as she gushed that she is the happiest she’s ever been in a positive update.

Speaking to Scott Mills on his BBC Radio 2 breakfast show, Fearne gushed that she is ‘really happy’ and is ‘springing out of bed in the morning ready for life’.

Scott, who has known Fearne for 25 years, said he has never seen her ‘more positive or happier’, prompting Fearne to agree and reply: ‘Yeah I feel great!’

She told how her health scare has changed her outlook and said she has been seeking comfort from Davina.

+8
View gallery

Joining Lorraine Kelly on Monday’s episode of the ITV show, the TV presenter, 43, also gave an health update after having two tumours removed from jaw