Max Tuerk, a former offensive lineman for the University of Southern California and the Chargers, has died at age 26, USC announced Sunday.
“Heartbroken by the loss of Max Tuerk,” USC coach Clay Helton wrote on Twitter. “Incredible person, teammate, and Trojan. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family.”
The school did not provide a time or cause of death. USCFootball.com reportedly confirmed to 247Sports network that Tuerk collapsed while hiking.
Tuerk was drafted in the third round of the 2016 NFL draft by the Chargers. After not seeing the field his rookie year, he was released and signed by the Arizona Cardinals, for whom he played his only NFL snap. Tuerk took the field during the Cardinals' 23-0 win over the New York Giants on Dec. 24, 2017.
At USC, Tuerk was an impactful force on the offensive. He was a Freshman All-American in 2012 and a First Team All-Pac-12 player in 2014. Tuerk was a top offensive line prospect coming out of high school at Santa Margarita Catholic High School.
"The #TrojanFamily is terribly saddened by the news of Tuerk’s passing, gone too soon at the age of 26, and our thoughts, prayers, and condolences are with his family," USC Athletics tweeted Sunday.
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