North Carolina wide receiver Tylee Craft, who was diagnosed with stage four cancer in the spring of 2022, has died at age 23.

The school announced his death on social media Saturday.

“It is with love and fond memories that we announce that Tylee Craft has begun its journey on the other side.

“Tylee meant so much to so many and influenced us in ways for which we will always be grateful. He was a loner and even though he won’t be with us physically, he will watch over us with his body.” endearing smile and endless positivity.

“On behalf of his family and our program, we sincerely thank everyone who supported Tylee in his fight against cancer. This means more than you think.”

In March 2022, North Carolina’s athletic training staff ordered testing to determine the cause of Craft’s ongoing extreme back pain. Results showed he had large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma, and treatment began immediately because the cancer had spread to his lungs, liver and spine, according to an August ESPN profile.

According to ESPN, when treatment began, doctors said he died within a month.

He stayed enrolled in school, completed his degree, and began a master’s degree. He remained part of the team as a student coach and attended every practice and event he could.

Head coach Mack Brown said he learned Craft had died shortly after the Tar Heels’ 41-34 loss to Georgia Tech. The news was not unexpected. Brown told his team Thursday that the cancer had spread and Craft was being placed in hospice care.

“They all ran up to him and hugged him and talked to him and laughed with him,” Brown said Saturday, according to The News & Observer in Raleigh. “We didn’t know.”

Brown called Craft, a South Carolina native, “an incredible young person.”

“I have to say that this young man fought so hard in his two and a half years,” Brown said. “The doctors said he survived what he should have and he did it with vigor and a smile on his face. He didn’t miss a meeting, didn’t miss a practice. He trained these other young people.” . He is an incredible young person.

According to the 247Sports summary, Craft was a three-star prospect in the class of 2020. Over two seasons, he appeared in 11 games for the Tar Heels as a wide receiver and on special teams.

–Field level media