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Kentucky defensive lineman Nic Smith has died, the program announced. He was 20 years old.
Smith spent last season as a redshirt freshman with the Wildcats. “Today our hearts are broken. Our thoughts and prayers are with Nic’s family, friends, teammates and everyone who knew and loved him,” Kentucky coach Will Stein wrote on X Monday.
According to a university spokesperson, campus police were called to a residence hall after receiving a report of a possible body. Later that day, the university announced Smith’s death.
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A Kentucky Wildcats helmet is displayed during the game against the Missouri Tigers at Memorial Stadium in Columbia, Missouri on October 27, 2018. October 27, 2018. Kentucky won 15-14. (Denny Medley/USA TODAY Sports)
The school official added that the University of Kentucky Police Department was working with the Lexington-Fayette County coroner and that an initial investigation did not indicate foul play.
“This is a tremendous loss for our program and university community. We will continue to support each other and honor his memory,” Stein’s statement continued.
Smith was a second-year student in the community leadership and development program at the Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment. His nicknames were “Happy” and “Big Happ,” according to his biography page on the Kentucky athletic department website.
Kentucky defensive lineman Nic Smith (55) poses during a photo session. (Photo courtesy of University of Kentucky Athletics)
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He played football and basketball at Walnut Grove High School in Loganville, Georgia.
