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Strong Former 2023 Class Wisconsin Football RB Tragically Passes Away 1 Wisconsin football recruit Nate White is surrounded by his parents Les and Chrystal as he speaks to he crowd during his signing ceremony at Rufus King High School in Milwaukee on Wednesday Dec. 21, 2022.Uwgrid Nate White 1 Dec 21 2022

Strong Former 2023 Class Wisconsin Football RB Tragically Passes Away

Originally posted on WI Sports Heroics
By Jarrett Guerrera | Last updated Jun 25, 2025 6:43 PM ET

A tragic piece of news has struck Madison as a former Wisconsin football signee and running back has passed away in the night.

Nate White, a former three-star running back who signed with the Badgers in the 2023 recruiting class, has passed away in his sleep. The exact cause of death is currently unknown, and the family of White has asked for privacy at this time and for fans to avoid speculation. The running back had loads of potential and was considered to be someone just on the cusp of truly breaking out

White transferred from Wisconsin to South Dakota State this off-season in a major move for the future of the running back. The athlete had battled for playing time in a loaded running back room in Madison and stayed at the program despite three scholarship running backs joining the program in the 2024 class. White had even tried to switch to wide receiver to help the team and potentially make the field sooner.

The Milwaukee native had a lifelong dream of playing for the Badgers and managed to fulfill the dream before unfortunately passing.

Former Wisconsin Football Running Back Nate White Passes Away Suddenly

Strong Former 2023 Class Wisconsin Football RB Tragically Passes Away 2 Wisconsin running back Nate White (20) is shown during spring football practice Thursday, April 25, 2024 in Madison, Wisconsin. The Wisconsin Badgers football team plays their season opener against Western Michigan on August 31.

The tragic passing of White is one that will likely sit with many fans and the Wisconsin football coaching staff due to who White was.

Wisconsin Sports Heroics is a site founded by fans, for the fans, with interviews of recruits and signees for the Badgers that showcase the athletes in a raw manner. White was one of the first athletes to interview with Wisconsin Sports Heroics and was nothing but kind, caring, and accommodating throughout the process.

The people who saw the running back the most saw who White was up close and personal, and witnessed how the athlete touched the hearts of many. Former Wisconsin football quarterback Cole LaCrue is one such individual, with LaCrue confirming the passing of White early in the morning on social media.

Regardless of what team a college football fan roots for, the passing of White is nothing but unfortunate, untimely, and deeply sad.

Wisconsin Football: Four 2026 Georgia Recruits Nearing Notable Commitment Decisions 4 Wisconsin running backs coach Devon Spalding talks with Nate White (20) during the team’s final spring practice, which was held on the field north of Camp Randall Stadium on Thursday May 2, 2024 in Madison, Wisconsin.

This article first appeared on WI Sports Heroics and was syndicated with permission.

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