Kentucky football player kentucky-football-redshirt-freshman-nic-203005025.html">Nic Smith died June 8. Later that day, the university confirmed his death in a post published on the football program’s official website. He was 20 years old.
The cause of Smith’s death has not yet been released.
A 6-foot-5, 282-pound defensive lineman, Smith was heading into his redshirt freshman season with the Wildcats this fall. Smith didn’t play in any games during the 2025 campaign while redshirting.
Smith was born in Augusta, Georgia. A member of Kentucky‘s 2025 signing class, Smith was a consensus three-star recruit.
He was a star defensive lineman at Walnut Grove High in Loganville, Georgia. As a senior, Smith collected 40 tackles (11 for loss) to go along with two sacks and 16 quarterback hurries. During his junior season, he racked up 58 tackles (8.0 for loss), four sacks and eight quarterback hurries; Smith also forced and recovered a pair of fumbles that year.
Smith’s nickname was “Happy.” He was majoring in the community leadership and development program in UK’s Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment.
Smith is survived by his parents (Spencer and Kisha Smith, and Genedra Smalls) and siblings (Jackson Roundtree, Killik Smith, Arkeion Smith, Nedra Roundtree, Valencia Murray and Ariana Smith).
In an email response to The Courier Journal on June 8, UK spokesperson Jay Blanton wrote the UK Police Department received a call at 10:03 a.m. Monday reporting a student had been found dead in a residence hall.
UK police and the Lexington-Fayette County Coroner have launched an investigation into Smith’s death.
Blanton told the CJ “the initial investigation indicates no foul play was involved.”
Smith’s mother, Genedra Roundtree, confirmed her son’s death in a Facebook post June 9.
“It is with an extremely heavy heart I let you know our beautiful young man Nicholas “Big Happy” Smith is no longer in the land of the living,” Roundtree wrote. “I post this to let those who knew my son and loved him of the passing of our gentle giant. I know there are more people that I can call or think who loved and cared about my son and was rooting for him. If there is any type of GoFundMe or anything posted on him do know I have nothing to do with that. I am not posting any GoFundMe or anything of that nature. I just want to peacefully lay my baby’s body to rest. Hold your children tighter kiss them tell them you love them check on them everyday. Thank you for those who have reached out who heard the news thank you for your support and your prayers. As arrangements are being made I will gracefully post the information of his services. Thank you all and God bless.”
UK coach Will Stein also shared a message following Smith’s death.
“Today our hearts are broken. Our thoughts and prayers are with Nic’s family, friends, teammates and everyone who knew and loved him,” Stein said in a statement. “This is a tremendous loss for our program and university community. We will continue to support one another and honor his memory.”
Many of Smith’s teammates took to social media following his death, posting on their Instagram Stories.
Wide receiver Shane Carr wrote, “You broke me kid.” Another wide receiver, Ja’Kayden Ferguson, wrote, “Rest in heaven champ.”
Former defensive lineman David Gusta posted a picture of Smith, saying, “Love ya brudda.”
Reach Kentucky men’s basketball and football reporter Ryan Black at rblack@gannett.com and follow him on X at @RyanABlack.
Reach sports trending writer Alaina Morris at amorris@gannett.com and follow her on X at @alainammorris.
This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Kentucky Wildcats football player Nic Smith dead at 20. What we know
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