Former Kentucky football offensive lineman Ben Christman was found dead at the age of 21 in his Las Vegas apartment on the morning of Tuesday, Feb. 11.
Christman, who played two seasons in Lexington from 2023-24, entered the transfer portal in the offseason and committed to Nevada-Las Vegas (UNLV) in December.
A cause of death was not released, with the university’s statement saying that the Clark County Coroner’s Office will do so at a later time.
“Our team’s heart is broken to hear of Ben’s passing,” UNLV Head Coach Dan Mullen said in a statement. “Since the day Ben set foot on our campus a month ago, he made the Rebels a better program. Ben was an easy choice for our Leadership Committee as he had earned the immediate respect, admiration and friendship of all his teammates. Our prayers go out to his family and all who knew him. Ben made the world a better place and he will be missed.”
Christman came to Kentucky from Ohio State, where he committed out of Revere High School near Akron, Ohio. Christman was a four-star prospect on the offensive line and was named to Cleveland.com’s All-Decade team for Ohio high school football.
He was redshirted in Columbus before first seeing the field in 2022. Following the 2022 season, he transferred to Kentucky.
Christman’s 2023 season in Lexington was derailed by a knee injury that kept him out of action for the entirety of the year, with the former three-sport athlete making his Wildcat debut on Aug. 31, 2024, in UK’s 31-0 win over Southern Miss. Christman would go on to play in all 12 games for the Wildcats, primarily on special teams.
“We are all at a loss right now hearing about the passing of Ben Christman,” Kentucky Head Coach Mark Stoops said in a statement. “He was a player who came in every day and went to work. He was tough as nails on the field but off the field he was a gentle and kind soul. He was loved by all of us and our prayers go out to his family and friends during this difficult time.”
