Florida college mourns loss of football player who collapsed and died Monday

Stetson University is in mourning on Tuesday after sophomore Nick Blakely died after collapsing on the football field on Monday night.

The 19-year-old from Georgia was standing on the sideline of Stetson’s practice field in DeLand and complaining of not feeling well before collapsing, according to a release put out by the school.

Blakely was transported to a local hospital where he died.

According to the school, the school will host a gathering of friends at Allen Hall at noon Tuesday on campus.

Football coach Roger Hughes broke the news to the team and the school said grief counselors are available.

The Hatters are scheduled to open their season Saturday in Connecticut against Sacred Heart.

Blakely, from Lawrenceville, Georgia, did not see any action as a freshman at Stetson last year and took a redshirt. Blakely was a defensive back who was a three-year letterwinner at Lawrenceville High School.

This story was originally published August 29, 2017 at 9:46 AM with the headline "Florida college mourns loss of football player who collapsed and died Monday."