Tuscaloosa police and rescue officials recovered the body of a Demopolis youth from the Black Warrior River Friday afternoon, barely 16 hours after the young man fell overboard during a college party.

Tre’ Jones, 20, of Demopolis, reportedly fell off the Bama Belle around 10 p.m. Thursday night while the boat was cruising just west of the Hugh Thomas Bridge in Tuscaloosa.

Jones was onboard with other students taking part in Delta Sigma Theta sorority’s annual White Party formal.

“Tre’ was just an unbelievable young man,” said DHS head football coach Tom Causey, who coached Jones during his time on the Tigers’ defensive line. “Just an incredible guy. One of the biggest compliments I can give to my players is that they’re a great teammate, and he was one of the best.”

Causey said Jones possessed a unique outlook and zeal for life that made being around him, for players and coaches, enjoyable.

“He had it all,” he said. “He was intelligent, had a great work ethic and he was talented. He had a lot character…just a great kid. He’ll be missed by a lot of people.”

Tuscaloosa Police and Sheriff’s helicopter pilots searched the area by air while other officers combed the banks. Tuscaloosa Fire and Rescue personnel searched the river on boats along with the U.S. Coast Guard. The search spanned into the early morning hours Friday before being halted and resumed around 6 a.m. The body was recovered around 2:30 p.m. Friday.