Portland State linebacker AJ Schlatter, a redshirt freshman from Canby, died Sunday evening after a complication from a throat surgery, PSU announced Monday morning.

Schlatter, 20, played a key role on a defense that helped the Vikings to a 9-3 season and a berth in the Football Championship Subdivision playoffs.

"My heart is with the Schlatter family. They are our focus right now," Portland State coach Bruce Barnum said in a statement. "We lost a diamond that will never be replaced. He was the definition of what we are about at PSU."

Schlatter was the Vikings' fourth-leading tackler with 62 tackles, 6.5 for loss.

He was named Big Sky Conference defensive player of the week after Portland State's 34-31 victory at Eastern Washington on Nov. 21.

Jim Schlatter posted about his son's death on Facebook, saying: "Believe he might have developed a blood clot after his surgery for the removal of his tonsils on Friday."

The Schlatter family has deep ties to PSU. Jim was an assistant football coach in the 1980s. AJ's mother, Terri Jo, played volleyball for the Vikings in the 1980s and was an assistant coach into the 1990s. She is in the PSU athletics hall of fame. AJ's sister Garyn also starred in volleyball with the Vikings, while sister Kasey played that sport at Montana State.

"Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Schlatter family with all the compassion and sympathy we can bring to bear during this difficult time." PSU athletic director Mark Rountree said in a statement.

"Things like this aren't supposed to happen. We cherish every student's well-being, and the loss of AJ will be tough on our family. He represented his family and Portland State with passion, courage, and humility that made us all proud. He will be missed."

-- Ken Goe

503-221-8040 | @KenGoe