Kentucky football redshirt freshman Nic Smith dies

Kentucky football player Nic Smith has died. The university confirmed his death in a post published on the football program’s official website.

“Today our hearts are broken. Our thoughts and prayers are with Nic’s family, friends, teammates and everyone who knew and loved him,” UK football head coach Will 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.”

Smith was going to be a redshirt freshman on the 2026 roster. The Augusta, Georgia, native redshirted last season.

This story will be updated.

Reach Kentucky men’s basketball and football reporter Ryan Black at rblack@gannett.com and follow him on Twitter at @RyanABlack.

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Kentucky football redshirt freshman Nic Smith dies