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JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Heath Benedict, a two-time Little All-American offensive lineman from Newberry College in South Carolina, was found dead on a couch in his home.

Jacksonville police said no foul play is suspected in the death of the 24-year-old Benedict, a 6-foot-4¾, 321-pound senior who had high hopes of being selected in the NFL draft next month.

Benedict, who redshirted at Tennessee as a freshman in 2002 before moving on to Newberry, was a native of the Netherlands. He played high school football at the Peddie School in Hightstown, N.J.

Jacksonville police spokesman Ken Jefferson said Benedict's body was taken to the medical examiner's office to determine the cause of his death. He was found dead Wednesday evening. Benedict was ranked the No. 4 guard in the draft by Scouts Inc. and projected as a fourth-round selection in April.

"Right now, we're all just trying to figure out what to do," Newberry assistant coach Ike Allred told The State newspaper of Columbia, S.C. "Obviously, we're all just praying for Heath and his family at this time."

Benedict played high school football at the Peddie School and moved to Greer, S.C., with his family. Following his senior season at Peddie, he was named a Parade All-American, played in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl and received a scholarship at Tennessee.

According to the report, Benedict withdrew from Tennessee after his redshirt freshman season and returned to Greer, where Newberry coach Zak Willis offered him a scholarship. Given a second chance, he became a stronger student and locker room leader, earning multiple small-college and Division II All-America honors his sophomore, junior and senior seasons.

Last month, before the NFL scouting combine, Benedict said he was looking forward to representing Newberry in the NFL, according to The State.

"Newberry's a great school. I really enjoyed my four years there and now I have the opportunity to come from there to the NFL," Benedict said a month ago, according to the report. "I'm always going to be grateful for the opportunity they gave me. I'll always be a Newberry Indian."

The Associated Press contributed to this report

nfldraftscout.com had this guy ranked #50 overall, 2nd round projection, which I guess is really not important at this point.

Feel sorry for the guy's family and friends.

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Bad heart.

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2008 Black Knights Football - 12 wins isn't enough

Many people of that size have problems like this. A guy I know played tackle at Iowa (6'7" 305) and the pro scouts told him he'd need to get up to about 340 to play in the NFL. His grandfather, great grandfather and grandmother all died at relatively young ages from heart attacks and he decided against even trying to play further. Now, he sells sporting goods for Riddle, I believe.
Some people just shouldn't carry that much extra weight on their bodies. It puts too much strain on their hearts.
My condolences to his family and friends.

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"Life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans..." John Lennon

I agree with Catman on that one. However..I bet they end up finding an issue similar to Matt Nader, who was to have signed with Texas until his heart quit on the field.

Luckily for him, he was saved by his own parents at the game..who happen to be cardiologists. He cant play anymore, but has a defib device implanted. Mack honored his scholarship and the guys an assistant now.

I remember us talking about him

You are making me a little nervous here catman....I am pretty close to that size.

NFL | Enlarged heart caused Benedict's death
Fri, 28 Mar 2008 21:59:03 -0700

John Murphy, of Yahoo Sports, and Josh Buchanan, of NFLDraftBible.com, reports Newberry OL Heath Benedict's cause of death has officially been listed as having died of natural causes due to an enlarged heart, according to several sources close to the situation. One of the sources said that doctors informed the family that "his heart just gave out on him." He will be buried Monday, March 31, in Pennsylvania, where his parents currently reside. Newberry will hold a memorial service Tuesday, April 1 and a family memorial will be held Friday, April 4.