Sad news to pass along from Vanderbilt.

The school announced Thursday evening that Turner Cockrell, a Commodores tight end, has passed after his battle with cancer.

“My heart is broken for Randy, Noelle and the Cockrell family, for all of Turner’s teammates, and for all who came in contact with Turner,” Vanderbilt head coach Derek Mason told the team website. “Turner had a wonderful spirit and fought an incredible fight. He was a Vanderbilt Man through and through, and he will always be remembered here.”

Cockrell missed the 2018 season to undergo treatment in Houston. He was diagnosed with melanoma, which spread from his lymph nodes to his lungs, in the fall of 2017. Throughout the 2018 season, many Vanderbilt opponents paid public tribute to Cockrell. He was 21.

Saturday Down South joins Coach Mason and SEC fans everywhere in keeping the Cockrell family and the Vanderbilt community in our thoughts.