Utah State football transfer Andre Seldon Jr. dies in suspected cliff diving accident

CNN
—

Utah State cornerback Andre Seldon Jr. died Saturday in an accident in which he reportedly jumped off a cliff at a reservoir about 20 miles (32 kilometers) from the school’s campus, the university said in a statement.

Officers were called to Porcupine Reservoir around 2:20 p.m. MT after reports that a man had dove into the water from the cliffs and had not resurfaced, the Cache County Sheriff’s Office said in a news release.

Search and rescue teams then began searching for the man with divers, according to a news release from the agency. His body was found in the reservoir by the Utah Department of Public Safety dive team at 9:05 p.m.

“Our initial investigation leads us to believe this was a tragic accident as multiple witnesses provided similar information,” the sheriff’s office said.

The university identified the victim as Seldon, 22, who joined the football team this year after two seasons at New Mexico State University and two at the University of Michigan.

“Our football program is devastated to lose one of our own,” said Utah State interim head coach Nate Dreiling, who joined the program after serving as New Mexico State’s defensive coordinator for two seasons.

Seldon, who played in all 15 games for New Mexico State in 2023, transferred to the football program last summer and was scheduled to begin classes this fall, the university said.

“I had a prior relationship with Andre during our time together at New Mexico State, and I can tell you what an incredible person and teammate he was,” Dreiling said. “Our condolences and prayers go out to Andre’s family as we mourn this tremendous loss.”

Seldon is survived by his parents, Danielle Smith and Andre Seldon Sr.

“Utah State is committed to ensuring that both athletics staff and student-athletes receive emotional and mental support as they process and grieve,” university officials said.