A University of Kentucky football player was tragically found dead on Monday morning, the school confirmed.
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Defensive lineman Nic Smith, 20, was discovered in a residence hall by University of Kentucky Police.
According to reports, campus police received a call at approximately 10:03 a.m.
Football Player Dies at University of Kentucky
The university announced Smith's death in a statement later that day.
School spokesman Jay Blanton said the University of Kentucky Police Department is working alongside the Lexington-Fayette County Coroner's Office as part of the investigation.
Blanton added that preliminary findings do not indicate any foul play.
Smith was a sophomore enrolled in the community leadership and development program within the Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment.
The 20-year-old was also a member of the Kentucky football team and redshirted during the 2025 season.
"Today our hearts are broken," Kentucky coach Will Stein 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."
The university has not released additional details regarding the circumstances surrounding Smith's death.
University Offers Support Following Tragic Loss
In a statement, the university encouraged students and staff affected by the tragedy to utilize support resources available through 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 joining Kentucky, Smith starred in both football and basketball at Walnut Grove High School in Loganville, Georgia.
According to UK Athletics, he was rated as a three-star recruit by major recruiting services and chose Kentucky over 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 size and potential to develop into a standout defensive lineman.
Away from football, Smith enjoyed cooking and baking. He also hoped to one day reach the NFL and eventually launch his own food business.
Smith is survived by his parents, Spencer and Kisha Smith and Genedra Smalls, as well as his six siblings.
