Tulane linebacker Sule Osagiede died from injuries sustained in a car accident Thursday morning in Beaumont, Texas, the university confirmed.
Osagiede, a sophomore, was from the Houston area.
"The death of Sule Osagiede is a tragedy and as a parent I cannot imagine the grief and heartache being experienced by his family," Tulane president Scott Cowen said in a statement. "My thoughts, prayers and sympathy are with them.
"I know his teammates, coaches and friends are as devastated by the news as I am. We will make sure that we provide them with the resources to help them cope with this terribly sad situation."
Osagiede missed the 2009 season after suffering a neck injury during fall camp in August.
He played in nine games as a true freshman in 2008 and finished the year with seven tackles.
Funeral and memorial services will be announced at a later date.
Graham Watson covers college sports for ESPN.com.