College football star Ryan Keeler has tragically died at just 20 years old, according to reports.
The UNLV defensive lineman died in Las Vegas on Monday, the university said in a statement.
“We are devastated to have lost a member of our Rebel family,” Barry Odom, the first-year University of Nevada, Las Vegas football head coach, said in a statement.
“While I had the honor of knowing Ryan for only a couple of months, he already stood out to our coaching staff as an incredible person, student, and teammate.
“Our condolences and prayers go out to Ryan’s family as we grieve along with them over this tremendous loss.”
No cause of death has been revealed.
UNLV Mourns Passing Of Football Student-Athlete Ryan Keelerhttps://t.co/wn1xtKZ0OZ pic.twitter.com/1Z4pOyrP0F
— UNLV Football (@unlvfootball) February 21, 2023
The 20-year-old Keeler was listed as a sophomore at UNLV after transferring from Rutgers before last season.
For the Rebels, the 6’6″, 275-pound Keeler played in two games where he tallied a total of eight tackles and one sack.
Both current and former players for the UNLV program gave their condolences to the family of Keeler on social media, including Aidan Robbins who plays as running back for the Rebels.
“Long Live 47,” he posted on Instagram.
“God rest your beautiful soul… love you 4L [for life] boy,” said Robbins in another post.
Last season, Marcus Arroyo was the head coach for UNLV, eventually being fired after putting up a 5-7 season, which brought his three-year record at the school to 7-23.
During the 2023 campaign, Arroyo praised Keeler for his versatility.
“We’re getting a chance to see some guys,” said Arroyo, according to the Las Vegas Review-Journal.
“It’s not what you’d like to do, obviously, in a situation where you have all your guys rolling, but it was good to see Ryan get in there and mix it up.”
Keeler went to high school at Nazareth Academy in Chicago.
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