Tragedy has struck the heart of college football as South Dakota State University reels from the untimely death of running back Nate White at just 20 years old.
CBS Sports reported that the young athlete, a recent transfer from Wisconsin, passed away as announced by the South Dakota State program on Wednesday, June 25, 2025, leaving a void in the tight-knit football community with no cause of death disclosed.
White’s journey began in Milwaukee, where he emerged as a standout talent at King High School, earning the title of Wisconsin’s top prospect in the 2023 recruiting class.
As a three-star recruit, he was ranked the No. 55 running back nationally, a testament to his raw potential. His high school stats were nothing short of jaw-dropping, with 1,345 yards and 26 touchdowns in just 10 games during his senior year of 2022.
Back in 2022, White wasn’t just racking up yards; he was collecting accolades like conference MVP and offensive player of the year as a senior. Even as a junior, playing quarterback, he pounded out 1,163 yards and 22 touchdowns in nine games. This kid had grit, the kind of old-school work ethic that’s too often missing in today’s participation-trophy culture.
White chose Wisconsin over offers from Iowa State, Kansas, Minnesota, Purdue, and Vanderbilt, signing with the Badgers as part of the 2023 class.
But after two seasons without seeing the field, he made the bold move to transfer to South Dakota State in January 2025. It’s a shame the system at Wisconsin couldn’t find a way to utilize such obvious talent—perhaps a sign of the overcomplicated, progressive coaching trends creeping into sports.
At South Dakota State, White switched gears, moving from wide receiver to running back during fall camp in 2024. Coaches saw something special, projecting him to carve out a role in the offense for the 2025 season. That potential, sadly, will now remain unrealized.
South Dakota State coach Dan Jackson said, “Jackrabbit football is a brotherhood and today we are all hurting with the shocking news of the loss of Nate White.”
He added, “Nate impacted our program with his hard work, determination, and overall positive spirit.” Fine words, but let’s be real—losing a young man like this isn’t just a program loss; it’s a gut punch to every value of teamwork and perseverance we hold dear in sports, values too often sidelined by today’s distracted, entitlement-driven society.
Jackson also noted, “We grieve with his family and will honor his memory throughout the upcoming season.” That’s the least they can do, and it’s a reminder that football, at its core, is about family, not the social experiments some want to turn it into.
Over at Wisconsin, coach Luke Fickell shared, “News of Nate White's tragic passing has been sad and difficult to comprehend for all of our Wisconsin Badger football family.” He continued, “We remember Nate as a friend and teammate, and we stand in support of Nate's family and loved ones.”
Admirable sentiment, but one wonders if more could’ve been done to keep a talent like White engaged during his Badger years, instead of letting him slip through the cracks of a system that sometimes prioritizes image over substance.
White’s sophomore year at South Dakota State should have been the start of something big. Instead, the football world is left mourning a young man who had already proven his mettle on the high school gridiron with second-team all-state honors from the Associated Press in 2022.
His high school career was a masterclass in dominance, from MVP awards to staggering stats that spoke of a player destined for greatness. It’s a bitter pill to swallow that we won’t see those numbers translate to the college level.
The silence around the cause of White’s death only deepens the sorrow, leaving fans and players alike searching for answers. But in an age where every tragedy is spun into some agenda, let’s focus on what matters: honoring a young man’s life and supporting his grieving family.
As a nation, we’ve got to remember that sports aren’t just about wins and losses—they’re about building character, something Nate White had in spades. His story is a call to strip away the woke distractions infiltrating athletics and get back to basics: hard work, heart, and community.