Former Syracuse quarterback Rex Culpepper has died at 28 after suffering injuries in a dirt bike accident in Georgia.

“Our Orange family mourns the loss of Rex Culpepper, who passed away this weekend at the age of 28,” the Syracuse football program said in a statement on X. “Rex lived his life with endless passion, having overcome cancer at the age of 20 while playing for the Orange.

“Appearing in 30 games, Rex played football as fierce as he lived life. Our hearts are with the Culpepper family & all those who loved him.”

Our Orange family mourns the loss of Rex Culpepper, who passed away this weekend at the age of 28. Rex lived his life with endless passion, having overcome cancer at the age of 20 while playing for the Orange. Appearing in 30 games, Rex played football as fierce as he lived life.… pic.twitter.com/HT65Ff8b2D

— Syracuse Football (@CuseFootball) March 16, 2026

Culpepper’s fiancée, Savanna Morgan, confirmed his death in an emotional, heartbreaking Instagram post with photos and videos of them together. Culpepper had just proposed to Morgan less than one month ago.

“No one expects to meet the love of your life and lose them in only 6 short years after meeting,” she wrote. “Rex didn’t always believe in soulmates but towards the end he told me that he didn’t realize what having a soulmate felt like until we felt like extensions of each other.”

She added, “And one thing about us is that we lived every single day like it was our last… there was never any free time with us and not a moment spent apart. I don’t regret a single day in our 6 years. You made six years feel like a lifetime Rexy.”

Culpepper played for Syracuse from 2017 to 2020, appearing in 30 games, including 16 at quarterback. He threw for 1,546 yards and 11 touchdowns and also saw time at tight end.

He was diagnosed with testicular cancer in March 2018 while with the program and underwent chemotherapy before being declared cancer-free in June of that year. During his treatment, he returned to the field for the team’s spring game and threw a touchdown pass on the final drive.

Culpepper is the son of former NFL defensive tackle Brad Culpepper, who played for the Minnesota Vikings, Chicago Bears, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

As those closest to Rex grieve this sudden loss, we’re reminded of the promise that God is near to the brokenhearted. Keep Savanna Morgan and the Culpepper family in prayer as they grieve, asking for peace, strength, and comfort in the days ahead.