Ole Miss Football Player Corey Adams Tragically Dies at 18 - Details

Following the tragic death of the teenage athlete in Cordova, tributes and reactions continue to surface from across the sports community. As the investigation remains ongoing, new details and reflections are beginning to highlight the youngster's impact both on and off the field.

Ole Miss(University of Mississippi) freshman football player Corey Adams has died following a fatal shooting in Tennessee. He was 18 years old.

Ole Miss Football shared the sad news on X, stating that they were "heartbroken" over Adams' death and extended condolences to his loved ones.

According to the Shelby County Sheriff's Office, Adams was killed on Saturday night (July 19, 2025) in Cordova, Tennessee, just outside of Memphis.

Authorities responded to the scene and found Adams inside a vehicle at an intersection near the site of the shooting. Deputies attempted "life-saving measures" until emergency services arrived and pronounced him dead at the scene.

Officials reported that multiple shell casings were recovered in the area. Four other individuals, all men, sustained gunshot wounds and were transported to local hospitals. They are not listed as being in critical condition. As of now, no arrests have been made, and the investigation remains ongoing.

Adams was a defensive lineman from New Orleans who enrolled at Ole Miss earlier this year. He played high school football at Edna Karr High School, where he earned first-team all-state and all-district honors twice.

As a junior, he tallied 51 tackles, 15 tackles for a loss, 12 sacks, one pick-six, and six batted passes. In his senior year, he registered 62 tackles, 21 tackles for a loss, 19 sacks, one fumble recovery, and four batted passes.

Rated a three-star prospect by all major recruiting outlets, Adams was ranked the No. 43 defensive lineman in the country by On3. He was also named a top-30 player in Louisiana by ESPN, Rivals, and 247Sports, and ranked as high as No. 16 in the state by On3.

Born on November 3, 2006, Adams chose Ole Miss over offers from LSU, Texas A&M, and Oregon. He was coached by Gerod Burr and joined Ole Miss as a mid-year enrollee.

Tributes have poured in as many continue to reflect on Adams' life and impact both on and off the field. Gramfam alum and content creator Fred Bailey shared a tribute video on TikTok to honor the youngster's memory.

The one-minute clip featured moments of Adams playing football, offering a glimpse into his passion for the game. As of July 21, 2025, the video has received more than 85,000 reactions and over 1,600 comments from fans across the world.

Back in his hometown, Edna Karr High School's football team, Karr Cougar Football, shared a message of grief on Facebook. They remembered Adams not only for his athletic ability but also as an "all around great young man."

Looking back on his contributions to Edna Karr, Adams played a key role in helping the team reach its first title game since 2020. In a December 2024 interview, when asked how it felt, he said the achievement was expected of them. He emphasized that communication on the field was crucial in securing the win.

Reflecting on the victory, Adams remarked, "We always preach that somebody got to stop the bleeding, and this senior class got to be that class to stop the bleeding."

In the same month, Adams also opened up about his college decision and playing style. He expressed deep gratitude for his opportunity, calling it a blessing to play and excel at football.

He noted how proud he was to bring joy to his family and others who supported him. Known for his dynamic presence on the field, Adams shared, "You can't make me bow on the field," describing his fearless approach to the game with a touch of humor.

Adams' death marks the latest in a series of tragedies that have recently impacted the football world. Two months ago (May 2025), another teenage player was fatally shot in his hometown, prompting tributes from his coaches, community, and school amid a wave of local violence.

Alex Foster, a freshman defensive lineman for the Baylor University football team and a standout graduate of St. Joseph Catholic School in Greenville, Mississippi, died following a shooting in his hometown. He was 18.

The Washington County Coroner's Office confirmed to the Clarion Ledger that Foster was killed early on Wednesday, May 28, 2025. According to the Greenville Police Department, officers responded to a call reporting gunshots at 12:11 a.m. on East Alexander Street.

At the scene, they found a male who had been shot multiple times while inside a car. The victim, later identified as Foster, was taken to Delta Health Center, where he died 35 minutes after arrival. Authorities did not release the name of the victim publicly.

Foster had returned to Greenville for summer break and was scheduled to travel back to Baylor University in Waco, Texas, over the weekend, his former high school coach confirmed.

"He was just a great guy," said St. Joseph Catholic-Greenville football coach John Baker in a statement to the Clarion Ledger. "Real quiet, soft-spoken guy, you know. Had his head on right and was wanting to make it out. He was a good dude, man."

Baylor University expressed its sorrow and heartbreak over the "unexpected passing" of Foster in a post shared on X. The message, jointly issued by Vice President and Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Mack B. Rhoades IV and Head Football Coach Dave Aranda, described Foster as "a beloved teammate, friend, and a cherished part of the Baylor Family."

The post continued, "Our thoughts and prayers are with Alex’s family and all those who loved him. In this time of deep sorrow, we draw strength from our faith and the unwavering love of the Baylor community. Our immediate focus is on supporting Alex's family and his teammates through this devastating loss. Alex's memory will forever be a part of Baylor University."

The young football player's tragic death sparked an outpouring of grief from the Baylor football program, his former school, and the Greenville community.

Baylor head football coach Dave Aranda posted a message on X, saying, "Alex was a beloved member of our Baylor Family, and we are devastated by this loss. In his time at Baylor he made a long-lasting impact on all of us in the program. Our hearts are broken, and our prayers are with his family, friends and all those who loved him so deeply."

The loss came as Greenville faced what officials described as a "surge in violent crimes." In an address on May 28, Mayor Errick D. Simmons announced a citywide curfew from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. and new restrictions for late-night establishments, which are now required to close by midnight.

Simmons said the measures were aimed at protecting the public — especially youth — and holding parents accountable.

"It's to protect the lives and well-beings of every Greenville resident in light of this growing crisis. ... we cannot stand by and let violence rip through our neighborhoods. Enough is enough," Simmons mentioned, according to ESPN.

A post on Facebook by College Football on ESPN confirmed that Foster, who redshirted the 2024 season, had participated in spring practices with Baylor ahead of what would have been his second year with the program.

St. Joseph Catholic School, where Foster graduated before joining Baylor, shared a tribute on Facebook. "We are heartbroken by the tragic loss of a young life in our community," the school wrote. "We extend our prayers and deepest sympathies to the family and friends of Alex Foster. During this time of sorrow, we stand together in faith, compassion, and prayer. May God comfort all who are grieving."

As the investigation into the shooting continued, the Baylor community and the city of Greenville mourned the loss of a young life filled with promise, remembering Foster for his quiet strength and lasting impact both on and off the field.