Ryan Keeler, a former Rutgers football player who transferred to UNLV last offseason,
died on Monday in Las Vegas, the school announced. A cause of death was not included in the announcement and has not been reported.
A three-star prospect out of Chicago, Illinois, Keeler, 20, was a member of the Scarlet Knights’ 2021 recruiting class.
The defensive lineman redshirted in 2021, his only season in Piscataway, then entered the transfer portal.
In a statement released Monday, Rutgers head coach Greg Schiano said the program is “devastated to hear of Ryan’s passing.”
“From getting to know him as a recruit, to actually getting to coach him,
what stood out most was his passion,” Schiano said in the statement.
“His passion for his teammates and his passion for the game of football. We send our love and prayers to Ryan’s family and friends during this difficult time.”
Keeler played seven games for UNLV in 2022, making eight tackles and collecting his first career sack.
“We are devastated to have lost a member of our Rebel family,” first-year UNLV football head coach Barry Odom said in a statement.