Bennett Christian will be ineligible to play this season.
The redshirt freshman Ohio State tight end has been suspended for the entirety of the 2023 campaign after testing positive for a banned supplement in January. Per NCAA rules, Christian is ineligible to play for one year from the time of the test, which means he will not be allowed to play for the Buckeyes this season.
“I’d like to share the news today that I took a supplement that contained a banned substance and I will be ineligible to compete for the Buckeyes for the entire 2023 football season,” Christian said in a statement on Monday. “I tested positive this past January under NCAA testing protocols and I will not be eligible again until next January.
“I am sorry that I put myself in this position and even more disappointed to have let down my teammates, coaching staff and family. I accept responsibility for my actions and for this suspension. The Ohio State staff does an outstanding job educating us. This could have been so easily avoided had I reached out to our training staff about the supplement and confirmed it was within policy. That will forever be a lesson learned and something all athletes should be aware of going forward.
“My goal this year is to be the absolute best teammate I can be, and to continue to support this program for which I am so grateful to be a part. I look forward to returning in 2024.”
Statement regarding the recent news about me. I want it to be known that I take responsibility for what goes into my body. It is important for all athletes to be educated on any supplement they take and everything that could be put in it. Please let this be a lesson to everyone. pic.twitter.com/pgcbhA20GL
— Bennett Christian (@BennettC87) August 14, 2023
A four-star recruit in the 2022 class, Christian appeared in two games as a true freshman and played nine offensive snaps. With Cade Stover, Joe Royer and Gee Scott Jr. expected to lead the tight end depth chart and Jelani Thurman also making a push for immediate playing time as a true freshman, Christian was not expected to play a major role this year.
With Christian suspended, Ohio State now has five scholarship tight ends available for the 2023 season: Stover, Royer, Scott, Thurman and Sam Hart.
