Aunt said that he had chest pains, speech difficulties.

"He had some chest pains before that day, but they got worse quickly," she told her siblings at the hospital with Fuller. "He was aware at one point, but when he arrived at the hospital, his speech was scrambled, and before we knew it, he was gone.

"We think it has something to do with a blood clot, but you do not expect anyone of his age to be gone so fast."

Fuller, 22, was taken to a family member in Pickens County at Greenville Memorial Hospital prior to his death, according to Pickens County Coroner Kandy Kelley.

Kelley said Wednesday that Fuller had been declared dead at the hospital. She added that she was still investigating what had happened and that she was not expecting to disclose any other information about her death before the end of the year. ;autopsy.

Kelley said that an investigation into Fuller's death could take six to eight weeks.

Fuller played at Clemson from 2014 to 2017, going through a year of redshirt where he did not appear in the games in 2014 before accumulating 599 rushing yards in 147 runs with five touchdowns over the course of three seasons. next seasons.

He also collected 290 yards on 17 career kick returns, including a 20-yard return in the 2016 national championship game that gave the Tigers the win against Alabama.

"His dream was Clemson," Beeks said Thursday. "He made us champions." From the age of 5 until the age of 22, he loved football – it was a part of him. for us, he will always be a champion. "

Fuller announced plans to move to another school before spring practice.

"Our thoughts, our prayers and our deepest condolences go out to the family of C.J.," said Clemson coach Dabo Swinney in a statement Wednesday night. "I've known C.J. for a long time and watched him grow up in Easley's recreation leagues until Easley High School. I am proud of what he has accomplished as a Clemson tiger, especially his Clemson degree. Our most sincere condolences and thoughts of our program go to his family … that he rest in peace. "

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Before coming to Clemson, Fuller attended Easley High School, where he helped direct the program in three consecutive playoff games for the first time in his history.

In March, Fuller was arrested with former Clemson teammate Jadar Johnson and former teammate Quaven Ferguson High School. He was charged with armed robbery and possession of a weapon while committing a crime. The case has not been the subject of a lawsuit.

Beeks said that she did not want anyone to remember Fuller as a person accused of a crime who had not spent all of his day in court for defend against accusations.

Family photos show that Fuller graduated in sociology at Clemson in August.

"C.J. has had a lot of good to give to the world," Beeks said. "Now he will not have the chance."

Scott Keepfer and Bob Castello of Greenville News contributed to this report.