Former LSU and Louisiana Tech wide receiver Devonta Lee has died, the schools confirmed with tribute posts Thursday. He was 26 years old, according to The Advocate.
Lee’s mother, Lacresia Brown, confirmed to KTVE that he was battling cancer.
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“He was a fighter and he loved everybody,” Brown said, per KTVE. “[Devonta] was a good kid [and would] do anything for anybody. He loved football [and] he gave his all in anything he did.”
Lee dealt with osteosarcoma, a type of bone cancer, in 2022 before returning to the gridiron, where played for LA Tech during the 2024 season, as reported by The Advocate.
“We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Devonta Lee,” LA Tech football wrote on X.
“Our thoughts are with his family, friends and former teammates during this difficult time. He will always be remembered as a member of the Bulldog family.”
Prior to joining the Bulldogs, he was a member of the Tigers. In fact, Lee was part of the 2019 LSU team that won it all.
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Despite finding himself in a wide receiver room that featured stars Justin Jefferson and Ja’Marr Chase, Lee still managed to see the field that season, his first with the program.
Lee, a four-star prospect and the Rivals industry ranking’s No. 152 overall recruit in the 2019 class, recorded 27 offensive snaps and 81 more on special teams — including five in the national championship against Clemson — according to Pro Football Focus.
NEW ORLEANS, LA – JANUARY 13: Devonta Lee #5 and JaCoby Stevens #3 of the LSU Tigers celebrate with the fans after defeating the Clemson Tigers during the College Football Playoff National Championship held at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on January 13, 2020 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Jamie Schwaberow/Getty Images)
(Jamie Schwaberow via Getty Images)
Lee caught his first two college passes for a total of 27 yards in 2019. Two seasons later, in 2021, he hauled in nine passes for 85 yards and his only collegiate score.
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This story is being updated.
