Offensive line coach Zach Yenser has added four players in the transfer portal this offseason. (Vicky Graff Photo)
e was the nation’s No. 7 interior offensive lineman and No. 124 prospect nationally his senior year at Revere High School in Richfield, Ohio, when Ben Christman opted to sign with Ohio State.
He had offers from Alabama, Georgia, LSU, Michigan, Penn State, Notre Dame and many others when he verbally committed to Ohio State as a sophomore because he knew he wanted to play for the Buckeyes. He was a tall, long athlete with good strength and athleticism — he was also on the basketball and track teams.
Kentucky has been trying to rebuild the offensive line and already had added three offensive linemen in the transfer portal — Marques Cox, Courtland Ford and Tanner Bowles. Cox and Ford are expected to be the starting tackles.
Christman can play either guard or tackle but he played just nine snaps in two years at Ohio State. He saw extensive action in Ohio State’s recent spring game, so obviously offensive coordinator Liam Coen and offensive line coach Zach Yenser believe he can be a contributor for the Cats.
Kentucky’s offensive line play dropped off last year when UK averaged just 1.2 rushing yards before contact — the sixth worst mark in the nation.
Christman was the top-rated offensive lineman in Ohio in the 2021 recruiting class and was a four-year starter in high school.
Kentucky already has two Ohio State transfers — defensive lineman Darrion Henry-Young and cornerback Jantzen Dunn — on the roster. Young played in seven games last year and got 35 snaps while Dunn transferred to UK for the 2023 season like Christman.
Kentucky has gone heavy in the transfer portal this year by adding North Carolina defensive tackle Keeshawn Silver, Cincinnati cornerback JQ Hardaway, Ohio State cornerback Jantzen Dunn, quarterback Devin Leary, Vanderbilt running back Ray Davis, Bowles, Cox, Ford and Christman.
