Former Georgia defensive back Paul Oliver has died at the age of 29 in his Marietta home.
Cobb County investigators say the 29-year-old Oliver was found dead Tuesday night of a self-inflicted gunshot wound, The Associated Press reported.
Oliver's death was first reported via Twitter by the San Diego Tribune. The newspaper said the Kennesaw native commited suicide.
Oliver's family told the San Diego Tribune, "We appreciate all the thoughts and prayers. We request privacy in the wake of this tragic loss."
Oliver played on three region championship teams from 2000 to 2002 at Harrison High School in Cobb County under coach Bruce Cobleigh. The 2000 team played in the Class AAAAA championship game, losing to Parkview. Oliver was an all-state player and a member of the AJC's Super 11 team.
"He's the best player who ever played here,'' Cobleigh said. "He was very hard-working and motivated and wanted to play football beyond college. That was his dream, and he got to do that.''
Cobleigh said he remembered Oliver as outgoing and popular as a high school student. ''He seemed happy. It's really shocking. It's hard to talk about.''
Oliver played three seasons at Georgia and recorded 7 interceptions, 94 tackles and 3 sacks. He was Georgia's most improved defensive player in 2005.
"It's heartbreaking for me personally, for our staff, for the Bulldog Nation I'm sure, and obviously for his family," said Georgia head coach Mark Richt. "I'm just, I mean I was just crushed this morning when I heard it, quite frankly. I really haven't been able to keep it off my mind, to be honest with you.
"We've got to find a way to reach out and help in any way we can. I hope there is some way the Bulldog Nation can rally around that family, I hope everybody would be encouraged to do so."
A fourth-round selection in the 2007 supplemental NFL Draft by San Diego, Oliver played three seasons with the Chargers. He also was briefly with the New Orleans Saints in 2011, but was released with an injury settlement before re-signing with the Chargers. Oliver, who had not played in the NFL since the 2011 season, had 4 interceptions and 144 tackles as a pro.
Oliver is the second former high school star from Cobb County to commit suicide in three years. On Sept. 20, 2010, former South Cobb quarterback Kenny McKinley, then a member of the Denver Broncos, was found dead from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound. Oliver and McKinley faced each other in high school games in 2001 and 2002.
-- AJC writers Chip Towers and Todd Holcomb contributed to this article.
