Clemson football player from Elberton drowns

A former Clemson University running back drowned Friday afternoon during a family outing at a Georgia lake, according to an Elbert County deputy coroner.

Tyshon Dye, 25, drowned while swimming at Richard B. Russell State Park, Deputy Coroner Beth Seymour told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. The park is located about 120 miles east of Atlanta near the Georgia-South Carolina state line.

Dye, an Elbert County native, knew how to swim, Seymour said. He and his brothers attempted to swim across a cove in the park’s beach area, but Dye decided to turn back, she said.

“It’s hard to tell if he got exhausted and cramped up,” Seymour said. “But he went under.”

Dye’s body was recovered just before 6 p.m.

Dye graduated from Elbert County High School in 2013. He played for Clemson for three seasons, according to ESPN.com, before transferring to East Carolina for his final season.

In a May 2013 interview with The AJC, Dye said he was also recruited to play at UGA, but at linebacker.

“But they were going to give me my opportunity at running back, and see what I can do,” he said. “And then, if it didn't work out, they were going to try me at linebacker."

Instead, Dye signed with Clemson. Clemson Head Coach Dabo Swinney released a statement Friday evening.

“All of our hearts are just broken,” Swinney said. “Our thoughts and prayers are with his family. I can honestly say Tyshon Dye is one of the sweetest souls I’ve ever been associated with or coached. We’re just all heartbroken tonight, and we’re praying for his family and know that he’s been called home.”