Washington State quarterback Tyler Hilinski, 21, was found dead Tuesday in an apartment in Pullman, according to police.
He suffered an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head and a rifle and suicide note were found next to him, Pullman police announced.
Hilinski, a Claremont, Calif. native, just finished his redshirt sophomore season for the Cougars. He started the team's bowl game against Michigan State and was expected to take over the starting role next season.
Officers responded to his apartment to conduct a welfare check after Hilinski "did not show up for practice earlier in the day," police said.