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Troy safety Nathan Harris dies in motorcycle crash

Troy University football player Nathan Harris passed away Saturday morning.

The school announced that Harris, a freshman safety, died from injuries sustained in a motorcycle accident in his hometown, Gulf Shores, Alabama. He was 19 years old.

“This is an unthinkable tragedy and the thoughts and prayers of the Troy Athletics Department and the Troy University community are with Nathan’s family and friends,” athletic director Jeremy McClain said in a statement. “It is devastating to see a young life end in such a heartbreaking way, and we will provide support and comfort for his teammates, friends and coaches as they go through the grieving process.”

Harris joined the Trojans as a walk-on last semester and recently earned a starting spot at holder, the school said. Before joining the team at Troy, the 6-foot-1, 193-pound Harris was the starting quarterback at Gulf Shores High School.

“Nate was a tremendous person and a very caring young man,” Troy head coach Neal Brown said. “While his time here at Troy University was brief, his impact was felt by many. He was loved by his teammates and had a positive effect on our team’s culture in a short time.”

According to Al.com, police said Harris “was killed when the motorcycle he was driving struck the end of a flatbed truck with tandem trailer carrying lumber.” Police said the cause of the crash is under investigation.

For more Troy news, visit TroyReport.com.

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Sam Cooper is a contributor for the Yahoo Sports blogs. Have a tip? Email him or follow him on Twitter!