The Associated Press

TOLEDO – A top high school running back who collapsed during a pickup basketball game and died had a heart infection that probably caused his death, according to a coroner’s report released Wednesday.

Thursday, May 17, 2001

TOLEDO – A top high school running back who collapsed during a pickup basketball game and died had a heart infection that probably caused his death, according to a coroner’s report released Wednesday.

Drushaun Humphrey, who planned to play at Ohio State, died of arrhythmia, an irregular heartbeat, said Cynthia Beisser, deputy Lucas County coroner.

An autopsy showed that Humphrey, a 6-foot-3, 240-pound junior, had scarring on his heart.

Humphrey’s size and speed impressed Ohio State coaches so much that he was offered and accepted a scholarship before his junior season.

Humphrey, 18, was timed at 4.4 seconds in the 40-yard dash and played running back and safety at Rogers High School.

He rushed for 1,222 yards on 144 carries last season and scored 21 touchdowns. He also had 57 tackles and four interceptions to help Rogers to its first City League championship and state playoff appearance.

Humphrey was voted to the Associated Press Division II Northwest Ohio All-District first team last season and received All-Ohio special mention.

Tom Lemming, publisher of a national report on high school football players, said Humphrey was among the nation’s top 25 running backs.

The National Center for Catastrophic Sport Injury Research in Chapel Hill, N.C., said at least five high school athletes have died in the United States this school year from heart problems.

In October, 15-year-old Barberton High School football player Joshua Miller died during a game because of an irregular heartbeat.