A University of Kentucky football player was found dead inside a campus residence hall Monday morning, according to school officials.
Nicholas Smith, a 20-year-old defensive lineman for the Wildcats, was discovered by university police after officers received a call at 10:03 a.m.
A school spokesperson, Jay Blanton, told the Associated Press that the university police department’s initial investigation did not indicate foul play.
University police are now working with the Lexington-Fayette County Coroner’s Office as the investigation continues.
Smith was expected to be a redshirt freshman for Kentucky this season.
Before joining the Wildcats, he played football and basketball at Walnut Grove High School in Loganville, Georgia. He arrived in Lexington in 2025 as part of Kentucky’s recruiting class.
Smith was considered a consensus three-star prospect when he signed with the Wildcats. He did not play during his first season with the program.
Kentucky head coach Will Stein released an emotional statement after Smith’s death.
“Today our hearts are broken,” 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,” he continued. “We will continue to support one another and honor his memory.”
Smith was enrolled in the Community Leadership and Development program at the Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment.
According to his athletics bio, Smith was known by the nicknames “Happy” and “Big Happ.”
He also had six siblings.