Mother of Ole Miss Football's Corey Adams Speaks Out After Freshman's Tragic Death

Originally posted on Ole Miss Rebels on SI | By Zack Nagy | Last updated Jul 22, 2025 9:00 AM ET

Ole Miss Rebels true freshman defensive lineman Corey Adams passed away on Saturday night after suffering gunshot wounds in Cordova (Tenn.).

Adams, a three-star signee in the Rebels' 2025 Recruiting Class, arrived in Oxford as an early-enrollee in January.

“SCSO responded to a scene on Fern Glade Cove in Cordova at 10:14 p.m,” according to Billy Gibbs of WREG. “Deputies say five people were injured in the shooting.

"When deputies arrived at the intersection of Forest Hill-Irene and Walnut Grove, they stopped a car, finding 18-year-old Corey Adams of New Orleans, Louisiana suffering from a gunshot wound. He was pronounced dead on the scene.”

Ole Miss Football has since released a statement on the passing of Adams:

"We are devastated to learn that Corey Adams, a freshman on the team, passed away last night in Cordova, Tennessee.

"While our program is trying to cope with this tragic loss, our thoughts are with his loved ones during this incredibly difficult time.

"Out of respect for his family, we will not be commenting further at this time. We ask the Ole Miss community to keep Corey in their thoughts and respect the privacy of everyone involved."

We’re heartbroken by the passing of Corey Adams.

Our thoughts are with his family, friends, and all who knew and loved him. pic.twitter.com/sj7dzyWJbn
— Ole Miss Football (@OleMissFB) July 20, 2025

Now, less than 48 hours after the tragedy, Adams' mother and brother have made public statements.

“My boys is my life. He was just coming down here to enjoy himself on his day off from practice. He didn’t deserve to die,” Adams’ mother, Chantrel Bernhart, said to media on Monday.

“I’m asking for anybody who has any information to help. I can’t get my child back. I can’t get him back to see him play at Ole Miss. I can’t get him back to see him playing the NFL.”

In an emotional press conference today we heard from the mother and brother of Ole Miss Defensive Lineman Corey Adams.

Adams was shot and killed in Cordova on Saturday and police are still searching for suspects. @WMCActionNews5 pic.twitter.com/WxTAfqc8od
— Griffin S. DeMarrais (@GDeMarraisTV) July 21, 2025

Law enforcement is yet to name any potential suspects in the shooting, as of this report. Adams’ killer(s) remain at large following Saturday's tragedy.

This article first appeared on Ole Miss Rebels on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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