Death of PSU Player Being Investigated as Possible Overdose

Kyle Smith, a star offensive lineman for the Portland State Vikings, was found dead in his apartment Wednesday night.

Portland Police saying it is being investigated as a possible drug overdose.

"Officers and medical personnel arrived and located 22-year-old Kyle Smith and determined that he was deceased. Investigating officers located evidence at the scene that indicated the death may have been related to a drug overdose," the police bureau said in a press release.

Police say that the medical examiner will conduct toxicology tests and results will probably not be availablee for several weeks.

No arrests have been made.

Meanwhile, the school is in mourning.

"This is a very tough time for everyone at the school," Spokesman Scott Gallagher told Patch.

The team's scheduled Thursday morning practice was cancelled.

Smith, who has started every game since arriving as a freshman in 2013, is from Elmira, Oregon.

He helped lead the offense to a 9-3 record last season that featured an upset of Washington State and a trip to the FCS playoffs.

His friends and teammates took to Twitter to express their shock.

"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," said Viking Head Coach Bruce Barnum. "The program is being tested but we will come out of this on top."

This is the second death to hit the team this year.

In January, linebacker A.J. Schlatter died after complications during a tonsillectomy.

According to Portland State, Smith was a business major. His hobbies were riding dirt bikes, water sports, and camping.

He is survived by his parents Matt and Angela, his sister Julia, and his brother, Cody.