Former Syracuse QB Rex Culpepper dies at 28 in Georgia dirt bike crash

Culpepper had recently proposed to his fiancée before the tragic accident.

Mar. 17, 2026 at 12:50am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Rex Culpepper, a former quarterback for the Syracuse Orange football team, tragically passed away at the age of 28 due to injuries sustained in a dirt bike accident in Georgia. Culpepper had overcome testicular cancer while playing for Syracuse and was engaged to be married to his fiancée, Savanna Morgan, just weeks before the fatal crash.

Why it matters

Culpepper's death is a devastating loss for the Syracuse football community, as he was beloved by his teammates and coaches for his perseverance in battling cancer and his passion for the game. His story highlights the fragility of life and the importance of cherishing every moment.

The details

According to reports, Culpepper was involved in a dirt bike accident in Georgia that resulted in fatal injuries. His fiancée, Savanna Morgan, confirmed the heartbreaking news on social media, sharing memories and photos of their time together. Culpepper had played as a backup quarterback and tight end for Syracuse from 2017 to 2020, and he had become a inspirational figure for the team after being diagnosed with testicular cancer in 2018 and undergoing successful treatment.

  • Culpepper proposed to his fiancée less than one month ago.
  • Culpepper was diagnosed with testicular cancer in March 2018 while playing for Syracuse, but was declared cancer-free in June of that year.

The players

Rex Culpepper

A former quarterback for the Syracuse Orange football team who tragically passed away at the age of 28 due to injuries sustained in a dirt bike accident in Georgia.

Savanna Morgan

Culpepper's fiancée, who confirmed his death in an emotional social media post.

Brad Culpepper

Rex Culpepper's father, who was a former defensive tackle for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Minnesota Vikings, and Chicago Bears in the NFL.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“No one expects to meet the love of your life and lose them in only 6 short years after meeting. Rex didn't always believe in soulmates but towards the end he told me that he didn't realize what having a soulmate felt like until we felt like extensions of each other.”

— Savanna Morgan, Culpepper's fiancée

“Our Orange family mourns the loss of Rex Culpepper, who passed away this weekend at the age of 28. Rex lived his life with endless passion, having overcome cancer at the age of 20 while playing for the Orange.”

— Syracuse Football Program

The takeaway

Culpepper's tragic death at a young age serves as a somber reminder of the fragility of life and the importance of cherishing every moment. His inspiring story of overcoming cancer while playing college football and his recent engagement to his fiancée underscores the profound loss felt by his loved ones and the Syracuse community.