DELANO, Calif. — Ivan Garza, who spent parts of five seasons with the Sacramento State Hornets football program, has died at the age of 25. The university’s football team shared the news on social media Wednesday evening, though no cause of death has been made public.
Garza was a standout offensive lineman who grew up in Delano, California, and graduated from Robert F. Kennedy High School in 2019. He was known during his prep years as a dominant force on the offensive line, helping lead a Thunderbirds team that averaged over 350 rushing yards per game during his senior season.
That team won a school-record 13 games and captured a Central Section title before advancing to a Southern California championship game.
College career and team success
After enrolling at Sacramento State in the fall of 2019, Garza redshirted his first year. The following season was wiped out entirely due to the COVID-19 pandemic, delaying his college debut. He finally took the field in 2021 and quickly became a fixture on the offensive line, starting the final ten games of that season at left tackle.
Over his college career, Garza appeared in 38 total games for the Hornets. He was part of a program that captured back-to-back Big Sky Conference championships in 2021 and 2022, with the 2022 squad completing the first undefeated regular season in school history. That year’s offensive line helped the Hornets rush for a school-record 3,369 yards.
In his final season in 2023, Garza started all 13 games, splitting time between left and right tackle, and was recognized as an honorable mention all-Big Sky selection. The offensive line he anchored that season allowed just 16 sacks across the entire year, a mark of consistency and protection up front.
Remembered as a beloved teammate
Sacramento State Football issued a brief statement following the announcement, offering condolences to Garza’s family and friends and describing him as a memorable presence in the program. The team’s message emphasized his character both on and off the field, calling him a wonderful teammate and player.
Garza majored in business during his time at Sacramento State. He was the son of Sandra Garza and Marcos Hernandez. Beyond football, Garza had also competed in basketball and track and field during his high school years, showing off an athleticism that extended past the gridiron.
News of his death spread quickly among fans and former teammates, with many taking to social media to share their condolences. Comments poured in from those who remembered his smile and his impact within the football community, with tributes continuing to appear across various platforms as word of his passing circulated throughout the day on Wednesday.
No further details about the circumstances of his death have been released at this time. Sacramento State has not indicated whether additional information or funeral arrangements will be shared in the coming days.
