University of Kentucky confirms death of defensive lineman Nic Smith
Kentucky head coach Will Stein issues statement of condolence as university mourns the loss of the 2025 recruiting class member.
The University of Kentucky announced on Monday that defensive lineman Nic Smith has died at the age of 20. The institution confirmed the passing of the student-athlete, who was a member of the 2025 recruiting class and was preparing to enter his second season with the Wildcats.
Kentucky head coach Will Stein issued a statement expressing the university’s heartbreak over the loss. Stein noted that the program and university community would continue to support one another and honour Smith’s memory. He extended his thoughts and prayers to Smith’s family, friends, and teammates, describing the event as a tremendous loss for the institution.
Smith hailed from Loganville, Georgia, where he attended Walnut Grove High School. During his time at the high school, he played both football and basketball. As a senior, he recorded 11.0 tackles for loss and two sacks on the gridiron.
A three-star recruit, Smith chose the University of Kentucky over scholarship offers from Georgia Tech and Georgia Southern. He previously redshirted as a true freshman during the prior season, meaning he was entering his redshirt freshman year when he died.
According to the official Kentucky website, Smith’s nickname was "Happy." The university described him as happy, friendly, and nice. Beyond his athletic pursuits, Smith had a passion for cooking and aspired to start a food business. The specific cause of his death has not been disclosed.
