Ohio State Buckeyes TE Bennett Christian Aims For Breakout Season After Suspension

The Ohio State Buckeyes are getting back tight end Bennett Christian after a year-long suspension, and hopes he's prepared to replace Cade Stover.

Ohio State Football Spring Practice / Jason Mowry/GettyImages

Bennett Christian was crushed when the news broke just before the start of spring practice. It was an accident, but someone had to pay the consequences.

Bennett, Ohio State's emerging No. 2 tight end, tested positive for a banned substance and was suspended for the entire following season by the NCAA. It was an honest mistake, one Bennett doesn't hide behind.

He went off-campus to buy a supplement from a nutrition store without the permission of the Buckeyes' staff. After it was reported by the university, Bennett had to own up to the mistake.

He didn't, however, let it deteriorate his goals from the sidelines and while in practice.

“I was devastated. It really caught me off guard,” Christian said of his initial reaction Thursday. “It was a rough time. But I moved past it and decided I had three choices. Either I could tuck my tail and run away; hide from it, not acknowledge it; or grow from it and learn from it and make myself better, and that's what I did during the year."

Christian said the hardest part wasn't missing live game reps, but rather ten mental aspects of the process. He was cleared to practice daily, as well as be a part of all activities, but he wasn't allowed to travel on game days.

While as a scout team member, Christan said he kept his head down and went to work. He considers it a blessing in disguise since his reps were against starting defensive ends Jack Sawyer and JT Tuimoloau rather than second-teamers.

“They're the best in the country at their position," said Christian. " And getting to go against them, really work on my technique, my hand placement, my feet for a year, I think for not being able to play, I developed at a really good rate."

Bennett's work ethic also caught the attention of tight ends coach Keenan Bailey, who noticed a more polished pass-blocker by the end of practices by the season's end.

Mar 26, 2024; Columbus, OH, USA; Ohio State football tight ends coach Keenan Bailey answers / Doral Chenoweth / USA TODAY NETWORK

“A lot of people would have tucked their tails and ran,” Bailey said Tuesday. “It's a credit to how he was raised and the coaches he's been around. I think Bennett handled it well and developed.”

Christian will have to earn the starting job, but he'll have a chance to win first-team reps with the departure of Mackey Award finalist Cade Stover. Senior Gee Scott Jr. seems to be the favorite. The Buckeyes also brought over Ohio transfer Will Kacmarek, who started over the past two years for the Bobcats.

“We’re going to miss Cade for sure,” Christian said, “but we’re all competing and making each other better.”

Christian said he's ready to earn his playing time and is willing to line up anywhere just to make up for lost time.

“I'm an unselfish player," he mentioned. "I can provide a lot in the blocking game and the passing game. So whatever they need me to be.”

Christian knows he's making up for reps missed last season, meaning his workload is double. He considers it a "learning lesson" and one he'll use as motivation throughout the rest of spring practice.

“I feel like last year I kind of went under the radar a little bit. And that was OK," he said. " I accepted that a year ago."