ARLINGTON, Texas — Former star linebacker Brad Hastings of Texas Tech has died at 44.

His mother said he died early Monday of heart failure at her home in Arlington. She said she received the autopsy results Tuesday. His father told the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal his son had high blood pressure and breathing problems.

Brad Hastings was a three-time all-Southwest Conference player who brought hope to Texas Tech's struggling program as a top recruit in the 1980s. He was Texas Tech's career tackling leader for 15 years after making 480 tackles from 1983-86. He's still second on that list.

His father, Fred Hastings, said knee trouble kept his son from pursuing a pro career.