TUCSON, Ariz. (AP) Athletic director Greg Byrne says Zach Hemmila, a senior offensive lineman for the University of Arizona, died in his sleep overnight.
Byrne and Arizona coach Rich Rodriguez told the team of Hemmila’s death after practice on Monday morning.
Byrne says Hemmila was found by a cousin. There was no immediate word on a cause of death.
Rodriguez, wiping away tears, his voice choked with emotion, said that two nights ago ”out of the blue” Hemmila sat down with him for a conversation that lasted about 45 minutes ”about everything, about how happy he was.”
Rodriguez called him ”a great young man.”
A fifth-year senior from Chandler, Arizona, Hemmila was 22. He started six games at left guard last season and was a leading candidate for the starting center’s job this year.
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