Ohio State OL transfer Ben Christman commits to Kentucky

Kentucky is not done addressing the Big Blue Wall in 2023. On Sunday afternoon, Ohio State transfer Ben Christman became the latest transfer to join the Wildcats this offseason.

The former high four-star recruit out of Akron (Ohio) Revere became the third former Buckeye to join the Kentucky football program in the last calendar year. Vince Marrow has helped bring yet another Ohio native to Lexington.

Committed to the University of Kentucky!!! LETS GO!!!!@UKCoachStoops @vincemarrow @OL_Coach_Yenser pic.twitter.com/6yatos18gZ

— Ben Christman (@BenChristman_) May 7, 2023

Ben Christman was the No. 132 ranked recruit in the 2021 On3 Industry Ranking. The blue-chip prospect ended his recruitment early by committing to Ryan Day’s program the summer before his junior season. After taking a redshirt in 2021, Christman played just nine offensive snaps in 2022. The redshirt sophomore entered the transfer portal on April 26 after the Buckeyes wrapped up spring practice.

The transfer projects to be a guard in Zach Yenser‘s offensive line room in Lexington. With Eli Cox and Kenneth Horsey as projected starters, Christman could find a reserve role this season before an opportunity to start arrives in 2024. Kentucky has now added nine transfers to the roster this offseason.

Scholarship distribution

Per KSR’s count, Kentucky currently has 81 scholarships accounted for with four available spots following the addition of Ben Christman. Here is how the Wildcats are spending their scholarship capital.

— QB (4): Devin Leary (Super), Deuce Hogan (RJr.), Kaiya Sheron (RSo.), Destin Wade (RFr.)

— RB (7): Justice Dingle (Super), Ramon Jefferson (Super) Ray Davis (RSr.), JuTahn McClain (Sr.), Dee Beckwith (RJr.) La’Vell Wright (RSo.), Jamarion Wilcox (Fr.)

— WR (9): Tayvion Robinson (Super), Dekel Crowdus (RSo.), Barion Brown (So.), Dane Key (So.), Jordan Anthony (RFr.), Brandon White (RFr.), Ardell Banks (Fr.), Anthony Brown (Fr.), Shamar Porter (Fr.)

— TE (7): Brenden Bates (Super), Izayah Cummings (Sr.), Jordan Dingle (RSo.), Josh Kattus (So.), Khamari Anderson (Fr.), Jakob Dixon (Fr.), Tanner Lemaster (Fr.)

— iOL (9): Kenneth Horsey (Super), Tanner Bowles (RSr.), Eli Cox (RSr.), Jager Burton (RSo.), Ben Christman (RSo.), Paul Rodriguez (RSo.) Grant Bingham (RFr.), Koby Keenum (Fr.), Austin Ramsey (Fr.)

— T (6): Marques Cox (Super), Jeremy Flax (RSr.), Courtland Ford (RJr.), Josh Jones (RJr.), Nikolas Hall (RFr.), Malachi Wood (Fr.)

— Offense: 42

— DL (12): Josaih Hayes (Sr.), Sam Anaele (RJr.), Darrion Henry-Young (RJr.), Octavious Oxendine (RJr.), Tre’vonn Rybka (RJr.), Jamarius Dinkins (RSo.), Kahlil Saunders (RSo.), Keeshawn Silver (RSo.), Deone Walker (So.), Tavion Gadson (Fr.), Kendrick Gilbert (Fr.), Tommy Ziesmer (Fr.)

— EDGE (5): J.J. Weaver (RSr.), Keaten Wade (So.), Tyreese Fearbry (RFr.), Noah Matthews (RFr.), Grant Godfrey (Fr.)

— LB (5): Luke Fulton (RSr.), D’Eryk Jackson (RJr.), Martez Thrower (Jr.), Trevin Wallace (Jr.), Jayvant Brown (Fr.)

— CB (8): Andru Phillips (RJr.), Jantzen Dunn (RSo.), Maxwell Hairston (RSo.), Jordan Robinson (RSo.), JQ Hardaway (So.), Elijah Reed (RFr.), Nasir Addison (Fr.), Avery Stuart (Fr.)

— S (6): Jalen Geiger (RSr.), Zion Childress (Sr.), Jordan Lovett (RSo.), Alex Afari (So.), Jaremiah Anglin (Fr.), Ty Bryant (Fr.)

— Defense: 36

— Specialists (3): Chance Poore (Super), Wilson Berry (RSo.), Jackson Smith (RFr.)

— Total: 81