Former Iowa offensive lineman Cody Ince dies at age 23

IOWA CITY — Former Iowa offensive lineman Cody Ince died suddenly over the weekend, a team spokesman confirmed Tuesday morning.

Ince was 23. The initial obituary and Iowa’s news release did not identify the cause of death.

Kirk Ferentz said in a statement Ince, who was on the team from 2018-21, was a “a tremendous young man, valued teammate and contributor to our program.”

“He loved football, fishing and hunting, and believed in the importance of family and friendships,” Ferentz said. "Mary and I are heartbroken for his fiancee, his family and all his friends who knew and loved him. All of us in the football program — his coaches and teammates — are mourning his loss.”

Ince appeared in 29 games, including 10 as a starter. He was an all-Big Ten honorable mention from coaches and media after the 2020 season. Ince, who battled injuries for much of his Iowa career, graduated in 2022 and did not use his fifth year of eligibility.

Visitation and a celebration-of-life service will be held Saturday in Amery, Wis. — near his hometown of Luck, Wis. His obituary asks, in lieu of flowers, for donations in Ince’s name to the University of Iowa’s Stead Family Children’s Hospital.

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