Devonta Lee, former LSU and Louisiana Tech wide receiver, dies at 26 after battling cancer
devonta lee has died at the age of 26 after a battle with cancer, university programs and family confirmed on Thursday. His passing closes a career that included a national championship roster spot at LSU, a return to play after a 2022 osteosarcoma diagnosis, and a final college season with Louisiana Tech in 2024.
Devonta Lee's battle with osteosarcoma
Lee had been fighting cancer, and his mother, Lacresia Brown, told KTVE that he was battling the disease. Medical details in public accounts identify the illness as osteosarcoma, a form of bone cancer, which first affected him in 2022. That diagnosis and treatment interrupted his college trajectory but did not end his efforts to return to the field.
LA Tech tribute and the 2024 season
After the illness, Lee returned to play for Louisiana Tech during the 2024 season. The LA Tech football program issued a statement expressing deep sadness at his death and extended condolences to his family, friends and former teammates, saying he will be remembered as part of the Bulldog family. The program's public tribute was posted on Thursday.
LSU connection and the 2019 championship team
Lee began his collegiate career at LSU and was part of the 2019 Tigers squad that won the national championship. He entered that season in a wide receiver room that included standout players Justin Jefferson and Ja'Marr Chase, yet still saw game action as a true freshman. LSU posted a message of mourning on Thursday, offering thoughts to his family and teammates.
Pro Football Focus snap counts and college production
Pro Football Focus logged Lee's playing time in 2019 as 27 offensive snaps and 81 snaps on special teams, including five snaps in the national championship game against Clemson. He caught his first two college passes in 2019 for a combined 27 yards. In 2021, he recorded nine receptions for 85 yards and his only collegiate touchdown.
High school success at Amite High School and recruiting profile
Before college, Lee starred at Amite High School in Louisiana. As a senior he helped lead Amite to a state title, finishing that season with 22 touchdowns and 42 receptions on offense while also contributing seven interceptions on defense. Recruiting services rated him highly: he was a four‑star prospect and held the Rivals industry ranking of No. 152 overall in the 2019 class.
Reactions from teammates and family
Family and teammates reacted publicly on Thursday. Lee's mother described him as a fighter who loved everyone, a good kid who would do anything for others and who poured himself into football and other pursuits. Former LSU teammate Ja'Marr Chase posted an Instagram story that included a photo of the two standing together and the message "RIP D. Lee, " followed by a prayer emoji.
What makes this notable is how Lee's career reflects both promise and resilience: a recruited four‑star who contributed on a national title team, fought a serious cancer diagnosis in 2022, returned to collegiate play in 2024, and remained connected to teammates and programs through public tributes.
He was 26 years old, The Advocate listed, and the loss prompted statements from both LSU and Louisiana Tech football programs on Thursday extending condolences and remembering him as a teammate and member of their communities.
