Former LSU football player Rahim Alem died at 36 over the weekend, LSU officials told The Advocate Tuesday.

Alem, a New Orleans native who played with the Tigers as a defensive lineman from 2006 to 2009, was considered one of the nation's top defensive prospects. He was named MVP of the Bayou Bowl, an all-star game between Louisiana and Texas. 

Alem registered 72 tackles and 14.5 sacks in 43 games. He played with the Cincinnati Bengals as an undrafted free agent until 2010.