A 15-year-old Virginia high school football player died this week during practice after suffering what his family said was a fatal heart attack.

Jayvion Taylor, a sophomore at Hopewell High School in the Richmond suburb of Hopewell, was taking a water break during Monday's practice when he suddenly collapsed to the ground.

"Two coaches were in the vicinity and immediately performed CPR and called 911. An [automated external defibrillator] was on grounds, but the paramedics arrived promptly and prior to the AED being used," Hopewell City Public Schools said. "The paramedics provided additional medical support and transported the student to the hospital right away."

The district described Taylor as "one of the most genuine and remarkable students our staff have ever worked with" -- a sentiment shared by his teammates.

"He was straight positive, like one of the best guys I've ever known," Orrin Besley told WTVR.

It's unclear what led to the incident, but weather may have been a factor. The high temperature on Monday was 88 degrees, with a heat index of 90 to 98, according to the Richmond Times-Dispatch.

The school district said the school was closed on Tuesday due to air conditioning issues but reopened on Wednesday. Classes had resumed in late July.

A prayer vigil was held on Wednesday night to mourn Taylor and other members of the Hopewell community who had died recently in shootings and drug overdoses.