WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — A former offensive lineman at Clemson and Florida has died, the schools acknowledged in statements released Friday.
Kaleb Boateng transferred to Florida in 2021 after playing sparingly in two seasons at Clemson. He joined the Gators as a walk-on and did not appear in a game.
Details about the death of the 21-year-old from Fort Lauderdale were not known.
The Gators said on social media that they're "extremely saddened by the news regarding former football team member Kaleb Boateng."
Our thoughts and prayers are with the Boateng family 🧡💙 pic.twitter.com/XIKfIJsB1x
— Florida Gators (@FloridaGators) February 10, 2023
Florida head coach Billy Napier also acknowledged Boateng's death.
"It's hard to find the words in a moment like this," Napier said in a tweet. "This is a phone call you never want to receive as a parent or as a coach – especially about a former player. Although our time was short together, Kaleb was a Gator. He was a beloved friend, son and teammate."
It’s hard to find the words in a moment like this. This is a phone call you never want to receive as a parent or as a coach - especially about a former player. Although our time was short together, Kaleb was a Gator. He was a beloved friend, son and teammate.
— COACH BILLY NAPIER (@coach_bnapier) February 10, 2023
Dabo Swinney, Boateng's former coach at Clemson, also released a statement through the team's official Twitter account.
Our hearts are heavy upon receiving reports of the passing of former Clemson offensive lineman Kaleb Boateng.
— Clemson Football (@ClemsonFB) February 10, 2023
"We remember Kaleb as being a good teammate and always having a good spirit to him." - Dabo Swinneyhttps://t.co/TD6gLzYAKe pic.twitter.com/pxvZgeKqFy
"We remember Kaleb as being a good teammate and always having a good spirit to him," Swinney said.
Boateng did not appear on the Gators roster last season. The 6-foot-4, 285-pound lineman's social media profile had been dormant for months before his death.