University of Utah star running back Ty Jordan, 19, 'dies after accidentally shooting himself in the hip on Christmas'

University of Utah running back Ty Jordan is dead after reportedly accidentally shooting himself in the hip Friday night. 

Police in Denton, Texas, tweeted Friday that they responded to a shooting call that night and found a victim with a single gunshot. They then transported the victim to the hospital, where the victim died. 

'Following a preliminary investigation, we do believe that this was an accidental shooting, where the victim accidentally shot himself,' a police spokesperson told ESPN. 

University of Utah confirmed Saturday that star running back Ty Jordan has died. He is pictured at right, on the field, on November 28

Authorities told TMZ that the shooting victim had shot himself in the hip using a handgun.  

Although police did not release the victim's name, pending notification of relatives, but on Saturday, the University of Utah Athletics department issued a statement that Jordan had died. 

Jordan, who recently won the Pac-12 Freshman of the Year award, grew up in Mesquite, Texas, which is about an hour away from Denton.   

In a statement Saturday, University of Utah head football coach Kyle Whittingham said, 'Words cannot express the devastation and heartache that our team is feeling right now upon learning of the tragic death of our teammate and brother, Ty Jordan.

Jordan (in red) reportedly died from an accidental gunshot wound sustained on Friday night

Jordan recently won the Pac-12 Freshman of the Year award and grew up in Texas

Jordan's death was confirmed in statements issued by University of Utah school officials 

Police in Denton, Texas, tweeted about the death of an accidental gunshot victim Friday, but have not yet named the victim, pending notification of family members

'Ty's personality and smile were infectious and he made a huge impact on our program in the short time he was with us. He leaves an indelible mark on each of us and our thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends.'

Whittingham added: 'From the bottom of our hearts, all of us in the Utah Football Family want to say we love you Ty and may you rest in peace.'   

Utah Director of Athletics Mark Harlan added that 'We are deeply saddened and shocked to learn of Ty Jordan's passing early this morning and our thoughts and prayers are with those who loved him dearly, including the young men in our football program.'

Harlan also said, 'Our priority is on supporting his family and the student-athletes, coaches and staff in our football program who are so deeply hurting right now. Coach Whittingham and I are working closely to provide support and resources for our Utah Football family in this extremely difficult time.'

Jordan, a three-star recruit from Mesquite, finished the season with 597 rushing yards on just 83 carries in five games for the Utes (3-2). He averaged 7.2 yards per carry and 119.4 per game.

The second-team All-Pac-12 selection was the first Utah freshman since 1995 to register three consecutive 100-yard rushing games.