Earlier this month, a University of Kentucky football player was tragically found dead in his residence hall.
Videos by Wide Open Country
The student-athlete was later identified as Nic Smith, 20. At the time, officials said preliminary findings did not indicate foul play.
A report from the Fayette County Coroner's Office has since determined that Smith died by suicide.
Football Player Dies at University Residence Hall
According to the coroner's office, Smith died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound in his dormitory at approximately 10:40 a.m. local time on June 8.
Following the news of his death, the University of Kentucky released a statement honoring the young athlete.
"We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of our beloved teammate Nic Smith," the school said in a statement. "We extend our thoughts and prayers to Nic's family, friends and the members of our program."
Kentucky head football coach Will Stein also paid tribute to Smith.
"Today our hearts are broken," he said.
"Our thoughts and prayers are with Nic's family, friends, teammates and everyone who knew and loved him. This is a tremendous loss for our program and university community. We will continue to support one another and honor his memory."
Smith was a sophomore enrolled in the community leadership and development program within the Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment.
He was also a member of the Kentucky football team and redshirted during the 2025 season.
University Community Mourns Nic Smith
In the days following his death, the university encouraged students, staff, and teammates impacted by the loss to seek support through resources offered by the Office for Student Success.
"We extend our deepest condolences to his family, friends and teammates," the statement reads. "We ask that you respect their privacy during this difficult time, we want to remind members of our community that you do not have to navigate this loss alone."
Before arriving at Kentucky, Smith excelled in both football and basketball at Walnut Grove High School in Loganville, Georgia.
According to UK Athletics, he was considered a three-star recruit by major scouting services and chose Kentucky over scholarship offers from Georgia Tech and Georgia Southern.
His player profile listed him at 6-foot-5 and 290 pounds, with coaches believing he had the physical tools to become a standout defensive lineman.
Away from football, Smith enjoyed cooking and baking. He also hoped to one day reach the NFL and eventually start his own food business.
Smith is survived by his parents, Spencer and Kisha Smith and Genedra Smalls, along with his six siblings.
