Nic Smith, University of Kentucky football defensive lineman, dead at 20

A University of Kentucky football player was found dead in a residence hall Monday morning. University police discovered defensive lineman Nic Smith after receiving a call at 10:03 a.m.He was 20.The university police’s initial investigation didn’t indicate foul play, school spokesperson Jay Blanton told the Associated Press. University police are working in conjunction with the Lexington-Fayette County Coroner’s Office on the case. Smith was set to be a redshirt freshman this season, having previously played football and basketball for Walnut Grove High School in Loganville, Ga., before arriving in Lexington in 2025. He was a consensus three-star prospect in the 2025 signing class for the Wildcats.

He did not play his first season with the Kentucky program. “Today our hearts are broken,” Kentucky head coach Will Stein said in a statement.“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 part of the Community Leadership and Development program at the Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment.According to his bio on the athletics website, Smith is nicknamed “Happy” and “Big Happ.” He has six siblings....