Yet another heartbreaking news that has shocked the college football world. A big loss indeed as college football star Ben Christman passed away on Tuesday, February 11. He was just 21 years old and had so much to gift to the world of sports. The student member of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas football program was found dead in an off-campus apartment. While the cause behind Christman’s death is yet to be revealed, the college football world has come together to mourn the loss. 

Christman started his career at Ohio State. Back in Columbus, he had appeared for just one game against Indiana during his two-year stint. He was the top-ranked offensive lineman in Ohio when he signed with the Buckeyes as part of their 2021 recruiting class. Christman’s next stop was at Kentucky where he played two seasons in Lexington. Unfortunately, there too his first year was cut short due to injury. However, the program still remembers how Christman has been a key contributor to special teams in 2024. Taking his talents elsewhere, Christman entered the portal again this year and committed to UNLV Rebels under new head coach Dan Mullen.

Sadly, he didn’t know what the universe had in store for him. On February 12, ESPN College Football confirmed the news on X. The tweet read, “UNLV senior offensive lineman Ben Christman, who transferred from Kentucky after last season, was found dead in an off-campus apartment. He was 21.” The athlete’s cause of death has not been revealed, the Clark County Coroner’s Office confirmed to E! News.

The college officials released a statement that neither Christman’s family nor his teammates have any details behind the cause of death. The February 12 statement released on the website read, “We don’t have further details at this time.” Both UNLV and Ohio State shared the grief they are feeling. Buckeyes HC Ryan Day shared, “I’m just crushed for his family. I know the guys who came in with him are crushed as well. He was a very good football player, but a better person.” The UNLV’s statement read, “This is an extremely difficult day for our athletics department and the university community.” Meanwhile, fans have started to pour in their tributes.

College football fans come together to mourn Ben Christman’s demise

Christman was getting ready to start his first season at UNLV. But what made him choose the Rebels? Well, former Ohio State staffer Mike Sollenne is the new offensive line coach at UNLV, and Christman might have been looking for a breakthrough. Sadly, that’s not going to happen anymore. That’s when a fan commented, “So sad.”

He somehow was looking for a chance to show his real talents on the gridiron. After all, he failed to gain much spotlight during his two years in Columbus and then chased to get more playing time in Kentucky. Now that he would no longer get the chance is itself very tragic, a fan poured his tribute, “Tragic news. Prayers to everyone involved.”

Christman played high school football at Richfield (Ohio) Revere, where he was a four-star prospect. In that way, this loss is irreparable. His loss is also irreplaceable as a human, who only strived to prove himself but got his journey cut short at just 21. A fan penned their prayer, saying, “Praying 🙏 hearts mend, way too soon. Sad 😔.” 

From the 2021 cycle, Christman was the No. 266 overall player. That’s how it has been indeed a big loss for the college football world, as a fan commented, “RIP.” Just as the college football world lost a gem, the player’s family lost their son. “Prayers for this young man and his family,” a fan sent his tribute. Ben Christman is survived by his parents Brian and Karen as well as his siblings Thomas and Brooks.