Former Ohio State player who was still playing college football passes away unexpectedly at age 21
A Ohio State Buckeyes helmet on the field during practice at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Tragedy has struck college football with a UNLV and former Ohio State Buckeye having passed away.
News broke late Tuesday night that UNLV offensive lineman Ben Christman had passed away. That news was confirmed by Eleven Warriors and a cause of death has not been released.
The UNLV athletic department released the following statement Tuesday night:
“UNLV Athletics was notified earlier today of the passing of a student athlete who was a member of the football team at their off-campus residence. This is an extremely difficult day for our athletics department and the university community. Out of respect for the student’s family and pending formal notification of next of kin by the Clark County Coroner’s Office, the university has no further information to share at this time.
Christman was a member of the 2021 recruiting class for the Buckeyes out of Akron, Ohio. The former Buckeye spent two seasons in Columbus before hitting the transfer portal and landing with the Kentucky Wildcats. As a sophomore, a knee injury kept Christman sidelined in 2023. In 2024, he appeared in 12 games for the Wildcats primarily on special teams.
Christman played at Revere High School in Akron and was one of the best offensive linemen in the class of 2021. According to 247 Sports Composite, Christman was the No. 7 interior linemen in the country in the class.
Having decided to transfer to UNLV following this past season, Christman was set to play for former Ohio State assistant offensive line coach Mike Sollenne, who is the offensive line coach for UNLV now.
An absolutely tragic happening for the former Buckeye who spent two seasons in Columbus. Christman was just 21 years old.
Ohio State Buckeyes head coach Ryan Day reacts after a play against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish during the second half the CFP National Championship college football game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
