A 21-year-old college football player was tragically killed Monday afternoon after a fire engulfed a home in a Stone Mountain neighborhood, according to DeKalb County Fire Rescue officials and family members.

The fire broke out shortly after 1 p.m. at a residence on Rockcliff Court in the Water Edge community, where firefighters arrived to find heavy flames spreading throughout the home. Emergency crews were alerted by a neighbor who reported seeing smoke and warned that someone might still be trapped inside the house.

Firefighters immediately entered the burning structure to conduct a search. Despite their rapid response, they discovered one victim inside the home who had already died. DeKalb County fire officials emphasized that crews acted without hesitation after receiving information that a person could be inside.

“There was no delay in our response,” said DeKalb County Fire Captain Jaeson Daniels. “Once we established a water supply and learned from a nearby resident that someone may be inside, our crews went straight in to conduct a search. Unfortunately, although we located him quickly, he was already deceased.”

Fire crews remained at the scene for several hours to extinguish remaining hotspots and prevent the fire from reigniting. Authorities confirmed that no neighboring homes appeared to have been damaged during the incident.

The homeowner, Gregory Edwards, later identified the victim as his grandson, Izaiah Taylor. Taylor was a 21-year-old college football offensive lineman who had been staying at the home while visiting family for the holidays.

Edwards said he was at work when a neighbor contacted him about smoke coming from the house. He immediately left and rushed home, but by the time he arrived, firefighters had already taken control of the scene.

“There was nothing I could do once I got there,” Edwards said. “The fire department had everything secured. Eventually, we learned that my grandson had passed away in the fire.”

According to Edwards, Taylor was the only person inside the home at the time. He described the loss as devastating, noting that no one ever expects to outlive their grandchildren.

Izaiah Taylor was a Georgia native who most recently played football at Georgia Military College after previously being part of the Liberty University football program. Standing 6 feet 5 inches tall, Taylor played offensive tackle and was known for his strength and athleticism. He began his football career at South Gwinnett High School and was considered a promising offensive line prospect during the 2024 recruiting cycle.

At the time of the fire, Taylor had returned to DeKalb County to spend the holiday season with family.

Fire investigators are continuing to examine the scene to determine the cause of the blaze. Officials have not yet released information regarding how the fire started or where Taylor was located inside the house when it began. The home sustained extensive fire, smoke, and water damage and has been described by the family as a total loss.

The investigation remains ongoing as authorities work to uncover the circumstances surrounding the deadly fire.