Former Iowa football player dies 'unexpectedly' at just 23 years old: 'Everybody loved Cody'

A former offensive lineman for the Iowa Hawkeyes college football team died "unexpectedly" at just 23 years old, the New York Post reported.

Cody Ince, who was engaged to be married, died "unexpectedly at his home near Grantsburg, Wisconsin," according to his obituary. A cause of death was not given.

Ince was an NFL hopeful according to the Daily Mail, which noted that the 6'4", 280-pounder once had a "legitimate NFL career" before injuries forced him to quit. The Wisconsin native was forced to stop playing with one year of eligibility remaining.

Ince started 10 games for Iowa between 2018 and 2021, played in a total of 18 from 2020 to 2021, and was an All-Big Ten honorable mention selection for for 2020, as well. After being named to the dean's list in 2021, Ince graduated in 2022.

"I am incredibly sad to hear about Cody Ince's sudden passing," Iowa head coach Kirk Ferentz said in a statement.

"Cody was a tremendous young man, valued teammate, and contributor to our program. He loved football, fishing and hunting, and believed in the importance of family and friendships. Cody was just beginning this next chapter of his life and was about to be married," Ferentz added.

Former Iowa teammate Arland Bruce IV said that Ince "showed [him] what true leadership looks like and how to be a great teammate." Bruce IV is the son of a former professional football player, Arland Bruce III.

Other former team members spoke very highly of the offensive lineman, such as Tyron Tracy Jr., who said he "had the honor of knowing and playing with Cody while I was at the University of Iowa. He was not only a great teammate but an amazing person!"

"Always smiling and cracking jokes but he took his job on the field personally and I loved that about him. He used to always bring in deer jerky or sunflower seeds and he made sure I got some every time," the message added.

Other teammates described him as humble, according to local outlet KCRG. Players said any time they spoke to him, they could tell how much it meant to him to be playing for the Iowa Hawkeyes.

“Everybody loved Cody. I think that says a lot about him and his come-up,” said teammate Logan Jones. “My condolences go out to him and his family and his fiancee as well,” Jones added.

Ince leaves behind his fiancée, Olivia Tucker, parents Tammy and Marty, and sister Carly.

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