Kyle Smith, Portland State Football Player, Dies at Age 22

Portland State University offensive tackle Kyle Smith died at his apartment Wednesday at the age of 22, according to PSU spokesman Mike Lund, per the Oregonian's Ken Goe. 

A cause of death has yet to be announced.   

"I feel we have the most united, close-knit football team in America, and we just lost a major piece of that team in Kyle. Right now we have two concerns, Kyle's family and our football players," PSU coach Bruce Barnum said in a statement, per Goe. "The program is being tested, but we will come out of this on top."

According to the school's official release, Smith earned second-team All-Big Sky Conference honors for his strong performance during the 2015 season. 

"We are deeply saddened by the loss of Kyle Smith," Director of Athletics Mark Rountree said, per the release. "Our thoughts and prayers are with his family at this time. I would ask the Viking family to support our student-athletes and coaches with love and caring during this difficult time. We must all must show resolve to cope with this tragedy as best we can."

Smith's death is the second time the Portland State football program has been struck by tragedy this offseason.

According to the Oregonian's Scott Sepich, redshirt freshman linebacker AJ Schlatter died on Jan. 17 because of complications from a minor surgery to remove his tonsils after a blood clot formed and he fell unconscious.