Sumter native, former UNC receiver dies from rare lung cancer at 23

COLUMBIA, S.C. (WIS) - A 23-year-old former Sumter High School football player and UNC receiver has died from lung cancer.

Tylee Craft passed away Saturday following a battle with stage 4 lung cancer.

UNC Head Coach Mack Brown made the announcement at his postgame news conference after the Tar Heels loss to Georgia Tech.

Craft graduated from Sumter in 2020 and was a student coach throughout his battle.

He was diagnosed back in March of 2022. That same year Craft went on to win the Disney Spirit Award; an achievement rewarded to the most inspirational figure in college football.

Fellow UNC athletes also paid tribute to Craft. Before North Carolina basketball’s Blue-White scrimmage at the Smith Center, the Tar Heels wore t-shirts to honor Tylee Craft.

His UNC family honored him during their game against Georgia Tech yesterday.

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