Utah State University cornerback found dead, apparently drowned after cliff-jumping accident

A college football player who was scheduled to play for Utah State University in the fall was found dead Saturday, apparently after a cliff-diving accident, authorities confirmed.

Andre Seldon Jr. was identified by the university in a statement about his death, noting that the cornerback had recently transferred from New Mexico State University, where Seldon played two seasons for Utah State’s interim coach Nate Dreiling.

Dreiling said the football program was “heartbroken to have to cope with the loss of one of our own.”

“Having previously bonded with Andre during our time together at New Mexico State, I can tell you he was an incredible person and teammate,” Dreiling said. “Our condolences and prayers go out to Andre’s family as we grieve with them over this tremendous loss.”

The Cache County Sheriff’s Office in Logan, Utah, said it received reports of a possible drowning at Porcupine Dam on Saturday afternoon. Witnesses told authorities that a young man did not resurface after being seen jumping off the cliff into the reservoir.

Dive teams found him shortly after 9 p.m. Saturday, about seven hours after the sheriff’s office was first called to the scene. The sheriff’s office confirmed the man was a student-athlete at Utah State University, but did not identify him after his death.

“Our initial investigation leads us to believe this was a tragic accident as multiple witnesses are reporting the same information,” the sheriff’s office said. “Our deepest condolences go out to the student-athlete’s family and friends.”

The university said it is working to provide emotional and mental support to students and athletic staff following Seldon’s death.

Seldon began his college football career in 2020 at the University of Michigan, his home state, before transferring to New Mexico State as a redshirt freshman, according to his profile. He graduated from Belleville High School, where he played football and was a participant on the school’s track and field team.

According to his profile, he started 12 of 13 games with New Mexico in 2022 and ranks fifth on the team in tackles.

Both New Mexico State and the University of Michigan released statements in Seldon’s honor on social media Sunday morning.