Tragic Twist: Rising College Football Star’s Life Cut Short in Mysterious Shooting at 18

As the roar of college stadiums gears up for the 2025 football season, a shadow falls over what should be a time brimming with hope and fresh talent. Just weeks before preseason camps kick off and iconic matchups like Ohio State vs. Texas light up the scoreboard, tragedy struck the Newberry College community. Mycheal Edwards-Wallace, an 18-year-old freshman brimming with promise and decorated with accolades, was fatally shot in South Carolina. It makes you wonder—how do we reconcile the passion and intensity of college football with the fragile realities players face off the field? My heart goes out to Mycheal’s family, teammates, and the entire Newberry family during this devastating time. In a sport known for its fierce stadiums and unyielding fans, it’s a painful reminder that the real battles sometimes happen well beyond the gridiron. LEARN MORE

An incoming college football freshman has been killed in a shooting at 18 years old.

The 2025 college football season is right around the corner. Teams will begin reporting for preseason camp in about a month. Week 1, which will feature massive games like Ohio State vs. Texas, is less than two months away. 

But tragedy has struck one college football program heading into the 2025 season. An 18-year-old college freshman was shot and killed in a shooting over the weekend.

Mycheal Edwards-Wallace, 18, was killed in a shooting in South Carolina over the weekend.

The 18-year-old college football player was set to play at Newberry College in South Carolina.

Edwards-Wallace was an all-state, all-area and all-region selection. Newberry head coach Todd Knight is deeply saddened.

“Our hearts go out to his family,” Knight said in a statement. “It’s such a tragedy for a talented young man to be struck down at a young age. He was a good student and a great young man with a terrific personality and a bright future. We were really excited to have him as a part of our team. He will always be a part of our Newberry family.”

Newberry College released a full statement.

“Newberry College is mourning the loss of incoming football student-athlete Mycheal Edwards-Wallace. Edwards-Wallace was an offensive and defensive lineman for Kingstree High School. He was a South Carolina Football Coaches Association Class AA all-state selection, as well as an all-area and all-region pick as a senior. He also participated in the Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas, the nation’s oldest high school all-star game, featuring 44 of the top players from North Carolina and South Carolina,” the statement read.

“He was also named Kingstree High School’s Male Athlete of the Year.

“The entire Newberry College community extends its deepest condolences to Mycheal’s family, friends, and teammates. We are keeping them in our thoughts and prayers during this incredibly difficult time.”

Our thoughts are with his friends and family members during this difficult time.