The University of North Carolina is mourning the devastating loss of former wide receiver Tylee Craft, who passed away from a rare form of lung cancer on Saturday, October 12, at the age of 23.

Craft, a native of Sumter, SC, was a four-star prospect who joined UNC football in 2020. He played in 11 games through two seasons before he was diagnosed with stage 4 large-cell neuroendocrine carcinoma in 2022.

Despite the cancer spreading to his brain, Craft continued to attend practices into the 2023 season.

“He’s just an incredible young person,” UNC head coach Mack Brown said Saturday, following the UNC/Georgia Tech game. “Without getting into faith here or religion, we got to hope that he’s healthy right now and he’s got a smile on his face.”

Many of his teammates visited Craft during the past week as his health declined, entering hospice care. Brown mentioned that Craft outlived his initial diagnosis, and did so with a purpose.

“This young man fought so hard for his two and a half years,” Brown said. “The doctors told us he outlived what he should’ve. And he did it with the spirit, he did it with a smile on his face, he didn’t miss a meeting, he didn’t miss practice, he coached these other incredible young people.”

UNC football issued a statement on Craft’s passing following the game:

Tylee meant so much to so many and affected us in ways we’ll always be thankful for. He was 1-of-1 and, while he won’t be with us in body, he’ll be watching over us with his endearing smile and endless positivity.

On behalf of his family and our program, we sincerely thank everyone who supported Tylee during his battle with cancer. It means more than you know. With love and affection, #TyleeStrongForever

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