High school football star Ryder Barnes died suddenly at age 17, Cal Poly athletics has confirmed. Barnes was committed to play for the Mustangs in the fall. No cause of death has been released. "On behalf of our entire Cal Poly football family, we are deeply saddened by the passing of Ryder Barnes," read a statement from head football coach Tim Skipper, released Wednesday, April 8. "Ryder was an exceptional young man with a bright future, and this loss is felt by all of us.