Diondre Overton, a former Clemson receiver and two-time national champion, has tragically passed away at the age of 26, according to an announcement made by the school on Saturday. Overton was fatally shot at a party in Greensboro, North Carolina, as confirmed by the Guilford County Sheriff’s Office. He was declared dead at the scene of the incident.
The Sheriff’s Office initially responded to a call around 2:30 a.m. regarding a noise disturbance at the party. It was only later that they received additional information about the shooting. The Guilford County Sheriff’s Office has since launched a homicide investigation into the incident.
Overton had a successful career with the Clemson Tigers, winning national championships in 2016 and 2018. He was a key player for the team, recording 52 catches for 777 yards and seven touchdowns during his four seasons with the Tigers. His performance and leadership earned him the honor of being voted a senior team captain in 2019.
The Clemson community has been deeply affected by Overton’s untimely death. The school expressed its condolences in a social media post, stating, “Clemson Football and the entire Clemson Family mourns the passing of Clemson alumnus Diondre Overton. Our thoughts are with his family and friends.” A tribute to Overton, featuring a Clemson balloon and flowers, was also laid by a plaque bearing his name on the campus.
Following his time at Clemson, Overton pursued a professional football career. Although he was not drafted into the NFL, he played in the Canadian Football League, the European League of Football, and the United States Football League. Most recently, he was selected by the Memphis Showboats in this year’s dispersal draft.
Overton’s former Clemson teammates have taken to social media to express their grief and share their memories of him. Bengals receiver Tee Higgins posted on his Instagram Stories, expressing his deep sorrow and love for his former teammate. Cardinals defensive end Xavier Thomas also shared a heartfelt tribute, highlighting Overton’s positive spirit and impact.