Ben Christman, former Kentucky football lineman who transferred to UNLV, dies in Las Vegas

Posted by author February 12, 2025 Football

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Ben Christman spent two seasons (2023-24) with the Kentucky Wildcats before putting his name into the transfer portal Dec. 6. He joined UNLV later that month.
Christman committed to UK in May 2023. He started his college career at Ohio State, where he was part of the program during the 2021 and 2022 seasons.

Former Kentucky football offensive lineman Ben Christman died Tuesday in Las Vegas, the Clark County Coroner’s Office in Nevada confirmed.

Christman spent two seasons (2023-24) with the Wildcats before putting his name into the transfer portal Dec. 6. He joined UNLV later that month.

UNLV Athletics released a statement Tuesday night confirming a football player had died. The statement did not publicly identify the player, however.

“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,” UNLV said in its statement. “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.

“The University is providing mental health and related support services to those in need. The cause of death will be released by the Clark County Coroner’s office.”

No cause of death has been provided by UNLV or the Clark County Coroner’s Office. Christman’s death was first reported Tuesday night by national college football reporter Matt Fortuna, who received UNLV’s statement.

Christman committed to UK in May 2023. He started his college career at Ohio State, where he was part of the program during the 2021 and 2022 seasons. Christman redshirted in 2021 before appearing in one game the following year, standing in for nine snaps at right guard in a victory over Indiana.

But after arriving in Lexington, Christman never took on a lead role for the Wildcats.

Battling for a starting job ahead of the 2023 campaign, he suffered a knee injury that forced him to miss the entire season. In 2024, Christman never figured into the rotation for new offensive line coach Eric Wolford. Though Christman appeared in all 12 games for UK last season, he primarily played on special teams.

A native of Akron, Ohio, Christman graduated from UK in December with a communications degree.

This story will be updated.

Information from the Akron Beacon Journal, which like The Courier Journal is part of the USA TODAY Network, was used in this report.

Reach Kentucky men’s basketball and football reporter Ryan Black at rblack@gannett.com and follow him on Twitter at @RyanABlack.