Washington State football player Bryce Beekman dies at 22

Washington State senior defensive back Bryce Beekman died Tuesday night, Pullman (Washington) Police Commander Jake Opgenorth confirmed to USA TODAY Sports. He was 22 years old. The cause of death was unknown. 

"As of right now there are no obvious signs of foul play," Opgenorth said. 

The Whitman County Coroner’s Office did not immediately release details of the death. Washington State's athletic department released a statement expressing condolences. 

"I knew him to be a wonderful young man," coach Nick Rolovich said in a statement. "He was always positive and well respected amongst his teammates." 

Beekman, a redshirt senior for the Cougars, started all 13 games in 2019. He transferred from Arizona Western College and was expected to be a key player in the 2020 campaign. Beekman had 60 tackles, fifth on the team, last season.

Beekman is the older brother of Reece Beekman, a four-star college basketball recruit in the 2020 class who has signed with Virginia.