Philip Lutzenkirchen, a member of the 2010 Auburn national championship team and one of the most beloved players in recent Tigers history, died in an automobile accident early Sunday morning, AuburnUndercover has learned.

Philip Lutzenkirchen (right) with Auburn commit Jalen Harris last Tuesday.

He was 23.

According to the Columbus (Ga.) Ledger-Enquirer, "Lutzenkirchen's fatal accident occurred in Troup County, just southeast of LaGrange, at approximately 3:06 a.m. Sunday morning, according to Master Trooper B.N. Talley of the Georgia State Patrol, who responded to the scene."

“I’m deeply saddened by the untimely passing of Philip Lutzenkirchen," Auburn coach Gus Malzahn said in a statement. "He was a great young man who touched the lives of everyone he knew in a positive way. On the field, Philip was a great player and competitor, but more importantly, he was a great teammate and friend off the field. My thoughts and prayers are with Philip’s parents, Mike and Mary, and all of his family and friends who are grieving his passing. This is a sad day for the entire Auburn family. I find peace knowing that even though Philip was taken from us too soon, that he lived his life to the fullest, leaving a lifetime of great memories for his family and friends to cherish forever.”

The Auburn Family is broken today with the loss of a great Auburn man and friend Phillip Lutzenkirchen. Crushed and without words. — Rhett Lashlee (@rhettlashlee) June 29, 2014

Lutzenkirchen caught 59 passes for 628 yards and 14 touchdowns at Auburn.

Before that, he was a standout at Lassiter High, just north of Atlanta.

Lutzenkirchen’s Auburn career ended after sustaining a hip injury against Ole Miss in 2012. The following year, he signed a free agent contract with the Rams, but was released four months later due to the same injury.

“Philip’s death is a devastating tragedy for his family, the Auburn family and his countless friends," Auburn athletics director Jay Jacobs said. "Today is also a profoundly sad day for the Auburn Athletics family, who loved and respected Philip not only as a great player but more importantly as a friend and the epitome of an Auburn man. I came to know Philip well and I admired everything about who he was and the way he lived his life. He had a strong faith, a big heart and a burning desire to help others. Philip was a bright light this world desperately needed, and his death leaves a void that can’t possibly be filled. My prayers, my thoughts and my heart go out to his wonderful parents, Mike and Mary, their entire family and his many grieving friends.”