Former Michigan football player Andre Seldon Jr. passed away this weekend in an apparent drowning accident, as announced by his current university, Utah State, in a press release.
Seldon, a Belleville (Mich.) High School graduate who played for the Wolverines in 2020 and 2021, was 22 years old. The accident happened on Saturday afternoon at Porcupine Dam around 2:20 p.m. local time when police were called after Seldon did not resurface while cliff diving. His body was recovered several hours later by the Utah Department of Public Safety dive team.
“At approximately 9:05 p.m., the Utah Department of Public Safety dive team located the deceased young male underwater in Porcupine Reservoir,” the Cache County Sheriff’s Office stated in a press release issued late Saturday night. “The individual’s name will be withheld until further notifications can occur. The male was identified as a student-athlete at Utah State University. Any additional information may be released by Utah State University. Our initial investigation suggests this was a tragic accident as multiple witnesses provided consistent accounts. Our heartfelt condolences go out to the family and friends of the student-athlete. Students who may be struggling with this event can reach out to the University for mental health services.”
Utah State later confirmed that the individual was Seldon.
“Our football program is heartbroken over the loss of one of our own,” said interim head coach Nate Dreiling. “Having had a previous relationship with Andre during our time together at New Mexico State, I can attest that he was an incredible person and teammate. Our condolences and prayers go out to Andre’s family as we grieve with them over this tremendous loss.”
Seldon had transferred to Utah State football over the summer after playing two seasons at New Mexico State University under Dreiling. Prior to that, he spent two seasons at Michigan, where he earned a pair of varsity letters and was an Academic All-Big Ten honoree.
As a prospect, Seldon was among the best players in the state, excelling as a three-way player for a Belleville High School team that won league, district, and regional titles in 2019. Besides his three years starting for his high school football team, Seldon competed as a sprinter in track and field and was Michigan’s first commitment of the 2020 class when he pledged in June 2018.
“Andre has the heart of a lion,” said Ron Bellamy, the current U-M receivers coach who was then the coach at West Bloomfield, in 2020.
Many of Seldon’s former teammates posted messages of condolences on social media throughout Saturday night and Sunday morning.
“Our Utah State University Athletics family is devastated over the sudden death of Andre Seldon Jr.,” USU Athletic Director Diana Sabau said. “We extend our deepest sympathies and heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, teammates, and all who loved Andre.”
