USC announced that former Trojans offensive lineman Max Tuerk died Saturday while hiking with his parents in the Cleveland National Forest in Southern California. He was 26 years old.
Tuerk made 33 starts along the offensive line for USC from 2012-15, mostly at left guard and center, and was named to Phil Steele's Freshman All-American Team after starting the final five games of his first season at left tackle.
He was named USC's offensive lineman of the year and an All-Pac-12 first team selection as a junior in 2014 before an ACL injury cut short his senior season.
The Chargers drafted Tuerk in the third round in 2016 and later signed with the Arizona Cardinals, making his only appearance in an NFL game in Week 16 of the 2017 season.
Following the announcement of the tragic news Sunday, USC Trojans past, present and future reacted on social media:
