Georgia Southern freshman offensive lineman Jordan Wiggins died at East Georgia Medical Center in Statesboro, Georgia, on Monday night.
The cause of death was not immediately available.
Wiggins, 18, was studying electrical engineering at Georgia Southern. He was redshirting on the football team this season. He was an All-Big Bend offensive lineman at Godby High School in Tallahassee, Florida, in 2018.
Georgia Southern officials said in a statement that a family member called Georgia Southern Police on Monday night to request a welfare check at Wiggins' dorm room. Police officers found him unresponsive, and he was transported to East Georgia Regional Medical Center, where he later was pronounced dead.
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation is leading the inquiry into Wiggins' death. The school said authorities have indicated no foul play is suspected at this time.
"We are devastated to learn of Jordan's passing," GSU athletics director Tom Kleinlein said in a statement "Although he has only been on campus for a few months, Jordan has left an indelible mark on our program. He was a great person, a great teammate and a great friend to the entire Georgia Southern community. Our deepest condolences and heartfelt thoughts go out to the Wiggins family, and all those who knew and loved Jordan."
The Eagles canceled practice Tuesday, and the school said counselors were being made available for players, coaches, staff members and students.
Godby High coach Brandon McCray, Wiggins' former offensive line coach, told the Tallahassee Democrat on Monday night that Wiggins' mother, Althea Jones, died in 2017. McCray's mother, Katherine Pondexter, took Wiggins in during his final two years of high school, said McCray.
"He never wanted to do anything if it didn't make someone else happy," McCray told the Democrat. "He was always there for his friends. He would do anything for his linemen. He loved football, but even he did that because it made his friends happy.
"This was like my adopted son," McCray added. "I coached with him for two years and against all his brothers for years. I'm still in shock. I don't know what to think. I've still got a lot of his stuff here at my house. I'm just trying to be here for my mom and all of our players."
The Eagles are scheduled to play New Mexico State at home on Saturday.
Georgia Southern players tweeted their reaction.
Torn and lost for words. Rip Jwiggs 🙏🏽🕊
— VernBern 🍖🍖 (@Yrn_Verneal) October 22, 2019
Fly High brother.
— Magill Bauerle (@Magill_Bauerle) October 22, 2019
Heart heavy
— D1 (@the__Duno) October 22, 2019
"My heart is broken for Jordan, his family, our team and this university," Eagles coach Chad Lunsford said in a statement. "Jordan was a great Georgia Southern man with a bright future. His time on Earth was short, but we know that there is a greater plan, and we must trust that. If he was indeed struggling with some personal issues, I wish the resources that we currently provide our students could have helped more. Our thoughts and prayers go out to everyone this is affecting."