Fayetteville, AR – Arkansas tight end Garrett Uekman died Sunday after being found unconscious and unresponsive in his dorm room, the school said.
The redshirt freshman was 19.
Arkansas said Uekman was found in his room in the Northwest Quad residence hall around 11:15 a.m.
A university police spokesman said the cause of death is not yet known, but it wasn't thought to be suspicious.
Uekman was last seen by a roommate playing video games about an hour before he was found unconscious by another roommate.
The school said Uekman was in cardiac arrest when first responders arrived and was pronounced dead at approximately 12:10 p.m. at Washington Regional Medical Center. His body was being sent to the State Medical Examiner for an autopsy.
In a statement, athletic director Jeff Long called the death "a terrible shock." Head football coach Bobby Petrino echoed that sentiment, saying Uekman was "a special member of our family."
"His loss is a terrible shock, and it makes you realize how precious life is," the coach said. "Garrett was a great teammate and loved being a Razorback. My sympathies are with his entire family during this incredibly trying time, and I share in their grief. Our team will honor and show our respect to Garrett."
Uekman played in nine games for the third-ranked Razorbacks this season, missing contests against Auburn and Vanderbilt.
He was from Little Rock, Arkansas, and attended high school at Little Rock Catholic. His death followed the Razorbacks' 44-17 win over Mississippi State on Saturday night in his hometown.
The school said Uekman's parents were notified when their son was being taken to the hospital. Long and Petrino were among the university officials who met them when they arrived in Fayetteville.
Danny and Michelle Uekman released a statement through the school, saying it was their son's dream to play football for Arkansas.
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