College Football Player, 18, Found Dead in His Dorm Room After ‘Feeling Ill’ Days Earlier

Local reports state that an 18-year-old Saint Francis University football player was discovered deceased in his dorm room.

After his teammates allegedly discovered the student athlete unconscious in his dorm room at the Pennsylvania campus on Monday, November 4, according to local news station WJACTV, Cambria County authorities have started looking into his death.

Walker, a freshman defensive lineman at Saint Francis’ Giles Hall dorm, was discovered in his bed, according to the site.

According to WJACTV, investigators are awaiting the findings of a toxicology report and have not yet identified a cause of death. Police informed the publication there is no proof of foul play.

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In the days before his death, Walker had reportedly been “feeling ill,” according to what his teammates informed investigators after his body was found, according to WJACTV.

PEOPLE’s request for comment was not immediately answered by Saint Francis University or the Cambria County Sheriff’s Office.

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The death of the Buffalo, New York native has prompted a flurry of tributes from friends, relatives, and former teammates and coaches.

The news of Walker’s passing “hurt” Walker’s former high school football coach at Canisius High School in Buffalo, Paul R. Woods Sr., wrote on X (previously Twitter) after learning of his passing. Woods Sr. wrote, “R.I.P. KEVON WALKER..LOVE YOU KID,” along a picture of Walker. “Please send a prayer to my guy and his family..Also the Canisius High School community,” he added.

This on hurt ..Please send a prayer to my guy and his family..Also the Canisius High School community
R.I.P KEVON WALKER..LOVE YOU KID pic.twitter.com/8AeAAE3HDi

— Coach Paul R. Woods sr. (@Paulwoods2) November 5, 2024

On November 5, tributes to Walker were also issued by Canisius High School and Saint Francis University. Saint Francis’s official X account posted, “Our hearts, thoughts, and prayers go out to Kevon’s family and friends during this difficult time.”

In a statement posted on the school’s website, Canisius High School principal Tom Coppola said, “Kevon was a larger-than-life presence in so many ways in our building.” It was amazing to watch him so pleased on the day of his graduation from Canisius High School. It was a wonderful day for him and his family. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family.