College Football Player William Hardrick, 22, Dies In Car Crash; Motorist Charged With Murder

William Hardrick, a assemblage shot protect backmost who antecedently played astatine Mississippi State and Miami (Ohio) earlier transferring to Austin Peay, has died. He was 22.

Austin Peay University announced Hardrick’s decease connected Wednesday.

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Defensive backmost William Hardrick, #3, runs successful nan 2nd half of nan Arizona Bowl NCAA assemblage shot crippled against Colorado State connected Dec. 28, 2024 successful Tucson, Arizona. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri, File)

Hardrick was killed successful a car clang successful Alabama adjacent Interstate 65, Limestone County Coroner Mike West told WHNT-TV. 

John Walter McAdams was arrested successful nan clang and was charged pinch execution and 2 counts of leaving nan segment of an mishap pinch wounded arsenic good arsenic DUI. Alabama Law Enforcement Agency was investigating nan crash.

McAdams was allegedly driving a semitractor-trailer.

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John Walter McAdams was charged pinch execution successful nan clang that killed William Hardrick. (Limestone County (AL) Jail)

"We are genuinely saddened by nan passing of William Hardrick, a caller personnel of our shot programme and nan Austin Peay family," Austin Peay athletics head Gerald Harrison said successful a statement. "All of our thoughts and prayers are pinch nan Hardrick Family today. We will do everything we tin to support his friends, family, and teammates astatine this time."

Governors caput coach Jeff Faris called Hardrick an "exceptional young man."

"Our squad is heartbroken by his loss," Faris added. "He made everyone astir him amended and has made a existent effect some connected and disconnected nan field. We assistance up nan Hardrick family successful dream arsenic we grieve this tragic nonaccomplishment pinch them."

Hardrick went to precocious schoolhouse successful Adamsville, Alabama, earlier he committed to Mississippi State. He played for nan Bulldogs done nan 2022 play and spent 2 seasons pinch Miami.

Miami (OH) RedHawks protect backmost Yahsyn McKee, #2, celebrates pinch protect backmost William Hardrick, #3, aft making an interception against nan Toledo Rockets successful nan 4th fourth astatine Ford Field successful Detroit connected Dec. 2, 2023. (Lon Horwedel-USA TODAY Sports)

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He played successful 18 games for nan RedHawks and had 32 full tackles.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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