OL prospect dies unexpectedly

Tragic news as draft prospect Heath Benedict, from Newberry College, was found dead in his apartment on Wednesday evening.

Reports coming out of Jacksonville, Florida, confirm that former Newberry College offensive lineman Heath Newberry has passed away very unexpectedly.

His body was discovered on his couch.  Police do not suspect drugs, alcohol or any foul play in his death, apparently of natural causes.

Benedict was expected to be drafted in the NFL Draft in April and had drawn plenty of interest from several teams, including the Minnesota Vikings.

In fact, in an exclusive interview with Benedict less than a month ago, he confirmed interest from the Vikings and in the Vikings.

"Yeah definitely," Benedict said when asked about interest from the Vikings.  "I've talked to the Vikings several different times, at the Senior Bowl, at the combine, and you know I love the Vikings.  I think it's a good fit for me.  Hopefully they like me too from the interest they've shown.  I'd love to be a Viking."

All of us at Viking Update extend our most sincere thoughts and prayers to his family and friends.