Ex-Hurricanes Football Star Jojo Nicolas -- Dead After Horrific Car Crash

Former University of Miami football star Jojo Nicolas has died ... days after suffering severe injuries in a horrific car crash involving an 18-wheeler ... his family has confirmed.

Nicolas was driving a silver Lexus that plowed into the back of a big rig on a Miami highway early Tuesday morning. Emergency responders raced to the scene and transported Jojo to a nearby hospital in critical condition.

But Jojo's condition took a turn for the worse Wednesday and he passed at 5pm.

Officials are still investigating the cause of the crash -- and have not ruled out alcohol.

Nicolas was 24.