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UK Football Player Found Dead in Dorm
9 Jun
Summary
- Defensive lineman Nic Smith passed away Monday morning.
- University police are investigating, with no foul play indicated.
- Smith was a highly-touted recruit preparing for his redshirt freshman season.
A University of Kentucky football player, Nic Smith, was found deceased in a residence hall on Monday, June 9, 2026. University police responded to a call at 10:03 a.m. and discovered the 20-year-old defensive lineman. His initial investigation by university police, in collaboration with the Lexington-Fayette County Coroner's Office, has not indicated any foul play in his passing.
Smith, a native of Loganville, Georgia, was slated to be a redshirt freshman this season. He had previously excelled in football and basketball at Walnut Grove High School before joining the Wildcats in 2025 as a consensus three-star prospect. He did not play during his first year with the team.
Head coach Will Stein expressed profound sadness, stating, "Today our hearts are broken." He extended thoughts and prayers to Smith's family, friends, teammates, and the entire university community, acknowledging the "tremendous loss" to the program. Smith was also involved in the Community Leadership and Development program. Known by the nicknames "Happy" and "Big Happ," his positive spirit was a hallmark of his presence.
