Altee Tenpenny, 20, the former North Little Rock High School standout running back, has been killed in a car wreck.
Former North Little Rock coach Brad Bolding on Wednesday told Arkansas Democrat-Gazette recruiting reporter Richard Davenport that Tenpenny had died in the accident Tuesday.
A statement released by the Mississippi Highway Patrol on Wednesday morning said Tenpenny was driving a 2008 Dodge Charger north on U.S. Highway 1 in Washington County around 5 p.m. when his car ran off the road, struck a road sign and flipped several times before hitting a utility pole and ejecting Tenpenny, who was the only person in the car.
Tenpenny was transported to the Delta Regional Medical Center in Greenville, Miss., where he died of his injuries, the statement said.
Tenpenny initially played for Alabama before transferring to UNLV, where he was dismissed from the team for a rules violation.
Tenpenny had then transferred to Nicholls State. He was suspended indefinitely from the team, however, after his arrest Sunday on a weapons charge.
Former teammates, friends and fans took to social media early Wednesday to share their memories of a player who "had the biggest smile," according to a tweet by the Oakland Raider's Amari Cooper, who played at Alabama between 2012 and 2014.
[PHOTOS: Altee Tenpenny gallery]
Arkansas Coach Bret Bielema also remembered Tenpenny's smile in a tweet, while offering condolences to his family.
In a statement, North Little Rock High School called Tenpenny a "standout football player and human being."
"The death of any young person, especially one with such talent and ambition, is tragic," the statement said, adding later: "His beautiful smile and charismatic personality will be sorely missed."
In his senior year with the Charging Wildcats, Tenpenny rushed for 1,385 yards and 20 touchdowns en route to a 7A/6A-East title. He was also named Sophomore of the Year in 2010 by the Democrat-Gazette before being sidelined his junior year with an ankle injury.
Rivals.com rated Tenpenny as a four-star recruit and the No. 10 running back in the class of 2013.
According to the Crimson Tide's official site, Tenpenny played in all 13 games his freshman year at Alabama, rushing 22 times for 82 yards and a touchdown.
Read Thursday's Arkansas Democrat-Gazette for full details.
Twitter reactions to Tenpenny's death
R.I.P Altee..man gone to soon..I'll always remember you calling me big bro I can't wait to be on your level... I love you man...God Bless💯
— LANDON COLLINS (@TheHumble_21) October 21, 2015Rest In Peace Young Warrior #Brotherhood pic.twitter.com/diAisfFzAE
— NorthLRFootball (@NorthLRFootball) October 21, 2015One of the hardest things ever is waking up to a text that your friend gone, It still don't feel real bro you will be missed R.I.P Altee🙏🏾👼🏽
— Eddie Jackson (@EJackson_4) October 21, 2015