Former Arlington High School football player killed in UVA shooting
It was hard to miss Devin Chandler’s talent on the football field. It earned him a scholarship to the University of Wisconsin before he transferred to the University of Virginia.
But that’s just scratching the surface of why Chandler will be remembered. As good of a football player as he was, he impacted people through his character.
“When the news of his death spread this morning at the high school, teachers and people who knew him were immediately reminded of his goodness,” said Adam Sykes, who was Chandler's coach at Arlington High School.
“Everyone gravitated towards him because of his personality, and his talent in football and track were just added reasons to root for his success.”
Chandler was killed in a tragic shooting while on a bus back to UVA from an off-campus trip, Sunday night. Chandler was one of three football players killed in the shooting, including Lavel Davis Jr. and D’Sean Perry. All three players were juniors.
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“We’re heartbroken to learn about the death of a former Arlington High student and football player, Devin Chandler,” Arlington Schools said in a Facebook post. “… Although Devin did not graduate from AHS, having moved to North Carolina his senior year, we know his impact as a Tiger will live on with his Arlington teammates and those who knew him. Please keep his family and friends in your thoughts and prayers.”
Chandler played for Arlington during the 2017-18 and 2018-19 seasons as a sophomore and junior. He transferred to William Amos Hough High School in North Carolina for his senior year.
While at Arlington, he played wide receiver, defensive back and ran track. He was named to the all-region first team both seasons. Chandler was a three-star prospect, according to 247Sports, and signed with Wisconsin.
He played at Wisconsin for two seasons before transferring to Virginia ahead of this season. At Wisconsin, Chandler was primarily a special teams player.
“It’s devastating to hear what happened to Devin,” Sykes said in his statement through the school. “No one deserves this but especially not a kid like Devin. He was one of the happiest young men I ever had the privilege of knowing. He was always smiling, and you saw him with every kind of group in the school. He just wanted to make those around him as happy as he was.”
Reach Wynston Wilcox at wwilcox@gannett.com and on Twitter @wynstonw__.
This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: UVA shooting victims: Ex-Arlington High School football player killed
