UNLV Defensive Lineman Ryan Keeler Dies at 20 Years Old

University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) defensive lineman Ryan Keeler died Feb. 20, according to The Las Vegas Review-Journal.

The school confirmed his death via their social media posting, “UNLV mourns the passing of Football student-athlete Ryan Keeler.”

A cause of death is not yet known.

The 20-year-old Keeler was listed as a sophomore at UNLV after transferring from Rutgers before last season.

For the Rebels, the 6’6″, 275-pound Keeler played in two games where he tallied a total of eight tackles and one sack.

Both current and former players for the UNLV program gave their condolences to the family of Keeler on social media, including Aidan Robbins who plays at running back for the Rebels.

“Long Live 47,” he posted on Instagram.

“God rest your beautiful soul… love you 4L [for life] boy,” said Robbins in another post.

Last season, Marcus Arroyo was the head coach for UNLV, eventually being fired after putting up a 5-7 season, which brought his three-year record at the school to 7-23. During the 2023 campaign, Arroyo praised Keeler for his versatility.

“We’re getting a chance to see some guys,” said Arroyo, according to the Las Vegas Review-Journal. “It’s not what you’d like to do, obviously, in a situation where you have all your guys rolling, but it was good to see Ryan get in there and mix it up.”

Keeler went to high school at Nazareth Academy in Chicago.

Reporting from Daily Caller.

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