Portland State mourns death of linebacker AJ Schlatter

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) Portland State is mourning the sudden death of a freshman linebacker.

The school said 20-year-old AJ Schlatter died Sunday night. The player's father, James Schlatter, said in a Facebook tribute the death came after a tonsillectomy on Friday.

Schlatter, a redshirt freshman, had an impact on Portland State's turnaround season. He was a walk-on who became a starter and helped the Vikings make the FCS playoffs. Portland State was ranked No. 10 in the final FCS poll.

Schlatter finished fourth on the team with 62 tackles. He was honored as the Big Sky's Defensive Player of the Week for his play in a 34-31 victory over Eastern Washington. He had 12 tackles, two sacks a forced fumble and an interception.