College football lost one of its own this week. Jack Pugh, a former Wisconsin Badgers tight end who spent three seasons with the program, passed away at 24 years old. No official cause of death has been released.
Pugh arrived in Madison as a four-star recruit in the 2021 class, coming off a standout career at Hilliard Bradley High School where he earned second-team All-Central District honors.
Before football even became his focus, he spent his first two high school years playing basketball, only switching to the sport as a junior. Despite the late start, his recruitment took off fast, drawing interest from Michigan, Penn State, Michigan State, Maryland and Minnesota before he committed to Wisconsin.
On Tuesday night, the university put out an official statement.
"The Wisconsin Athletics family is deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Jack Pugh. Jack was a positive light and brought a genuine spirit to our football program," Wisconsin football wrote on X. "More than that, he cared about people and was loved by his teammates and staff. Jack proudly earned his degree from UW-Madison in 2025 and will forever be remembered and loved."
Since news of his passing broke Wednesday, tributes have poured in from fans across the country.
"So sad. Sending prayers to his family and loved ones. You will be missed Jack. RIP," one person wrote.
"Condolences to his family, friends, and the Badger community," another added.
"Sad, reach out to a brother and tell them how much you love them. Praying for this young man's family," one fan shared.
"Sad, I haven't heard any cause of death, but given his mental struggles, I suspect they may have played a role in his passing. RIP," another wrote.
"RIP Jack. My heart breaks for the Pugh family," one commenter added.
"So very sad. Way too young," another shared.
His final season tied to the Badgers came in 2023, though he stepped away that year for personal reasons. By December, Pugh announced his retirement from football, and he was open about why. It wasn't just physical.
He had been battling depression for years alongside struggles with substance abuse, and the weight of it had become too much to carry. He made clear at the time that walking away was not about giving up, it was about taking care of himself.
Pugh graduated from UW-Madison in 2025, which by any measure was something worth recognizing given everything he pushed through to get there.
