Former Wisconsin Football Player Jack Pugh Dead at 25

Former Wisconsin tight end Jack Pugh -- a once highly touted recruit who bravely opened up about his struggles off the field -- has died at 25 years old.

The Badgers announced the news Tuesday, saying Pugh -- who spent three years in the program -- was “a positive light” and someone who truly cared about others … adding teammates and staff deeply loved him.

Pugh arrived in Madison as a four-star prospect in the 2021 class, despite being relatively new to football. The Ohio native didn’t even play the sport until his junior year at Hilliard Bradley High School … but still racked up offers from powerhouse programs like Michigan, Penn State and Michigan State.

But behind the scenes, Pugh was fighting a much tougher battle.

In December 2023, he walked away from football, citing mental health struggles. In an emotional Instagram post, Pugh revealed he had dealt with years of depression and substance abuse … admitting there were times he “didn’t want to be alive.”

He made it clear football wasn’t the cause … but said life had distracted him from addressing what he was going through.

Pugh stepped away from the team for personal reasons … and ultimately chose to prioritize his well-being, writing he wanted to “find happiness” and build a better life.

He stayed at Wisconsin and earned his degree in 2025 -- a moment the school highlighted in its statement following his passing.

The program didn’t release a cause of death.