Caleb VanHooser, a defensive back for the Indiana State University football team, tragically died in a car accident over the weekend ... according to multiple reports.
VanHooser's former school -- Lakota East High School -- confirmed the tragic news of his passing ... writing, "It is with (a) heavy heart that we mourn the loss of Caleb VanHooser, former Hawk great, and Indiana State football player who was called home to Heaven early this morning."
"We will never forget his contributions to our program.