Fresno State Athletics
Photo by: Samuel Marshall
Honoring Nate Maier’s Life, Passion and Purpose
8/28/2026 7:12:00 PM | Football
FRESNO, Calif. – Former Fresno State football student-athlete Nate Maier passed away this week at the age of 21.
Maier was an offensive lineman for the Fresno State football program during the 2022 and 2023 seasons before stepping away from the team in August 2023 to attend to personal matters.
A native of Lake Arrowhead, California, Maier was a standout multi-sport athlete at Rim of the World High School. Rated a three-star recruit when he signed with Fresno State in December 2021, he helped lead the Fighting Scots to an 8-2 record and an undefeated conference season during his senior year. A versatile athlete, Maier made an impact on both sides of the football while also excelling in track and field and wrestling.
After leaving Fresno State, Maier returned home to be with his family and remained focused on his education and future. He was preparing to begin a new opportunity as an educational instructional aide at Victor Valley High School, where he also hoped to coach football, track and field, and wrestling. Maier viewed the opportunity as a way to support young people through the sports that had played such an important role in his life.
Maier was also continuing his education online as he worked toward earning his degree and the credentials needed to become an environmental science teacher.
Fresno State Football extends its deepest condolences to Maier's family, friends, former teammates and all those who knew and cared for him.
Maier played under former head coach Jeff Tedford at Fresno State.
"Nate was a valued member of our program," said Tedford. "It was a pleasure to recruit him to Fresno State and see him come into the program. He was a hardworking and dedicated teammate who was passionate about the game. Nate had a huge heart, cared deeply for others and always had an unselfish attitude. He was a terrific young man who had a bright future ahead of him. His loss is heavy on our hearts."
A cause of death has not been determined and remains pending the completion of an autopsy. Information regarding memorial services will be shared when it becomes available.
Maier was an offensive lineman for the Fresno State football program during the 2022 and 2023 seasons before stepping away from the team in August 2023 to attend to personal matters.
A native of Lake Arrowhead, California, Maier was a standout multi-sport athlete at Rim of the World High School. Rated a three-star recruit when he signed with Fresno State in December 2021, he helped lead the Fighting Scots to an 8-2 record and an undefeated conference season during his senior year. A versatile athlete, Maier made an impact on both sides of the football while also excelling in track and field and wrestling.
After leaving Fresno State, Maier returned home to be with his family and remained focused on his education and future. He was preparing to begin a new opportunity as an educational instructional aide at Victor Valley High School, where he also hoped to coach football, track and field, and wrestling. Maier viewed the opportunity as a way to support young people through the sports that had played such an important role in his life.
Maier was also continuing his education online as he worked toward earning his degree and the credentials needed to become an environmental science teacher.
Fresno State Football extends its deepest condolences to Maier's family, friends, former teammates and all those who knew and cared for him.
Maier played under former head coach Jeff Tedford at Fresno State.
"Nate was a valued member of our program," said Tedford. "It was a pleasure to recruit him to Fresno State and see him come into the program. He was a hardworking and dedicated teammate who was passionate about the game. Nate had a huge heart, cared deeply for others and always had an unselfish attitude. He was a terrific young man who had a bright future ahead of him. His loss is heavy on our hearts."
A cause of death has not been determined and remains pending the completion of an autopsy. Information regarding memorial services will be shared when it becomes available.
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