College football player MJ Daniels has died at the age of 21 after being shot Tuesday night at an apartment complex in Hattiesburg, a coroner said.
Daniels, a native of Lucedale, Mississippi, began his college career at Ole Miss before transferring to Southern Mississippi in 2023.
Southern Miss’ football program announced his death on Wednesday, writing on their website that Daniels passed away on Tuesday night in an off-campus incident.
Hattiesburg Police said the shooting occurred at about 9pm on Tuesday, according to the Pine Belt News, with police finding Daniels unresponsive in his vehicle.
‘Our thoughts and prayers are with the Daniels family, friends, and Southern Miss community,’ Southern Miss said.
MJ Daniels is seen playing for the Ole Miss Rebels at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium in 2022
Daniels’ school, Southern Mississippi, posted this tribute in honor of the late football player
Ole Miss’ football program also wrote on X, ‘Our hearts are broken over the sudden passing of MJ Daniels.
‘Please keep the Daniels family in your thoughts and prayers during this time.’
Daniels’ body was sent to a medical examiner for an autopsy, Forrest County Coroner Lisa Klem told news outlets.
Southern Miss head coach Will Hall wrote on X, ‘We are deeply saddened by the loss of MJ Daniels. His smile was infectious and lit up the room. Please keep MJ’s loved ones and our Southern Miss family in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.’
Ole Miss coordinator of recruiting strategy Kelvin Bolden also added on the platform of the former Mississippi player, ‘You’ll be missed..R.I.P MJ.
‘Sending my prayers & condolences to MJ’s family & friends, the George County Community, & Southern Miss Football.’
Daniels was a starter at cornerback last season for Southern Miss and played in 12 games.
Share or comment on this article: College football player MJ Daniels, 21, shot dead as former team Ole Miss say their ‘hearts are broken’ over his passing
21-Year-Old College Football Star Tragically Shot & Killed In His Car
Southern Miss football star Marcus MJ Daniels Jr. has tragically lost his life at a young age due to senseless gun violence.
MJ Daniels was reportedly killed after he was shot in his vehicle on Tuesday night, Hattiesburg Police said Wednesday. He was just 21 years old.
The school released a statement on social media expressing “sincere condolences to his family, friends and teammates during this difficult time.”
Southern Miss mourns the loss of MJ Daniels 💛
Our thoughts and prayers are with the Daniels family, friends, and Southern Miss community.
🔗 » https://t.co/NI34HYQ1Wy#SMTTT pic.twitter.com/GEN9bD3h3i
— Southern Miss 🔝 (@USMGoldenEagles) June 12, 2024
A Hattiesburg, Mississippi police official told the Pine Belt News that the shooting went down around 9 p.m. Tuesday in the 6300 block of U.S. 49. The location was said to be less than a mile from Southern Miss’ M.M. Roberts Stadium.
For MJ Daniels, he was projected to be the starter for the Golden Eagles entering his second season with the program.
The 6-foot-2 Daniels’ totaled 29 tackles with four pass deflections and three interceptions during his freshman year.
He was expected to be one of the Golden Eagles’ top players this fall, but many believed Daniels had a future in the NFL.
MJ Daniels Was Expected to Switch Positions For Upcoming 2024 Season
Southern Miss defensive back MJ Daniels had a lot more living to do on this Earth, but his life was tragically cut short as the result of an off-campus shooting.
Daniels logged most of his snaps as a cornerback for the team in 2023, but he was expected to slide over to safety and serve as a critical figure in the team’s 2024 secondary.
Coming out of high school, MJ Daniels originally flipped his commitment from Mississippi State to Ole Miss on National Signing Day in 2020. He would enter the transfer portal following the 2022 season.
