LAS VEGAS (KLAS) – The UNLV campus is mourning the loss of one of its own after learning on Tuesday that a student-athlete passed away.
Clark County officials identified the student-athlete as Benjamin Christman, 21, of Las Vegas. According to a statement from UNLV’s Athletic Department, Christman passed away at an off-campus residence.
Christman’s cause and manner of death are still listed as “pending.”
According to UNLV’s website, Christman was a transfer from Kentucky, where he appeared in 12 games. It doesn’t appear that the offensive lineman had yet had any playing time with the Runnin’ Rebels.
“Christman, a 6’6”, 315-pound lineman, arrives in Las Vegas with SEC experience under his belt,” said an article from Sports Illustrated regarding Christman’s move to UNLV in Dec. 2024. The senior called Akron, Ohio, his hometown and was nicknamed “Big Ben.”
UNLV described him as a top-100-rated offensive lineman in the transfer portal. He played for Ohio State, redshirting in 2021.
“UNLV Athletics was notified earlier today of the passing of a student-athlete who was a member of the football team at their off-campus residence. This is an extremely difficult day for our athletics department and the university community,” a release from UNLV Athletics said Tuesday. “Out of respect for the student’s family and pending formal notification of next of kin by the Clark County Coroner’s Office, the university has no further information to share at this time.”
The university is providing mental health and related support services to those in need, officials said.