Stetson LB Nick Blakely dies after collapsing at practice

Nick Blakely, a redshirt freshman linebacker from Stetson University, died Monday after collapsing at practice. He was 19 years old.

In a statement from university president Dr. Wendy B. Libby, the school said Blakely “complained of not feeling well” shortly after practice began Monday evening before collapsing on the sideline. He was transported to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead. No cause of death has been determined.

Libby said Blakely’s parents were notified and the team was informed of the news by head coach Roger Hughes.

Blakely, a 5-foot-10, 205-pound linebacker from Lawrenceville, Georgia, redshirted his lone season with the program in 2016. He was a three-year letterman at Archer High School, where he played running back and safety. He also competed for the school’s track team before choosing Stetson, an FCS program in DeLand, Florida.

Stetson opens its season on Saturday on the road against Sacred Heart University.

Blakely is the second college football player to die in recent months. In June, Kent State lineman Tyler Heintz died after an offseason conditioning workout. Heintz, a freshman, was in just his second day of summer workouts with the team. Ross Bowsher, KSU’s head football strength of conditioning coach who oversaw workouts the day Heintz died, was fired after the university determined he was not forthright about his level of certification.

Players from Buffalo, Northern Michigan, Chadron State, Cal, Texas State, Winona State, Morgan State have all died during or after football-related activities in recent years as well.

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Sam Cooper is a writer for the Yahoo Sports blogs. Have a tip? Email him or follow him on Twitter!

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