They called him “Jazz”, short for Jasper.

He was known as an impact player on the University of Connecticut Huskies football team, a starting corner back since his freshman year who also returned punts, a former standout at Miami Edison High School in South Florida, a kid from the mean streets of the Liberty City neighborhood who made his mother proud, becoming the first from his family to attend college.

Late Saturday night, after celebrating his team’s homecoming victory, which he played a key role in with 11 tackles and a forced fumble at the goal line preventing the other team from potentially tying the game, he was found stabbed.  More than 300 people spilled out into the street in the chilly Storrs, Ct. air.  A fight broke out between a group of non-students and half-a-dozen football players, someone plunged a blade into Jazz’s abdomen.  A fellow player went to his aid, another came to try and stop the bleeding and the police were called.  Ambulances  brought Jazz went to one hospital, but unfortunately he could not be saved.

Police have made one arrest, 21-year-old Johnny Hood, who police say lied about his name when questioned at the scene.  Another wounded player identified Hood as being involved in the fight.  His lawyer says he’s only guilty of being in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Another lawyer says there are four more “main” suspects and he represents one of them, another young man who apparently admits to being involved in the fight but not with the stabbing.  Police have questioned him and searched his home and seem to be making progress in the investigation.  They’re asking anyone with pictures or home video of the scene outside the dance to forward the images since they could help solve this homicide.

Meanwhile Jazz’s uniform sits unused in his locker and will for the next two seasons, except when the Huskies are on the road.  They plan to bring #6 with them to honor his memory and his loss.