Ohio State TE Bennett Christian ineligible for 2023 season after testing positive for banned substance

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Mon, Aug 14, 2023, 5:50 PM·3 min read

Ohio State coach Ryan Day announced Monday that redshirt freshman tight end Bennett Christian will be ineligible the 2023 season after testing positive for a banned substance under NCAA testing protocols in January.

Christian will not be eligible to play until January 2024.

"He's a great young man who made a mistake," Day said. "He's got a great family, and I commend him for being transparent. He accepts his responsibility and wants to share his story... so others don't make the same mistake."

Christian confirmed the suspension in a statement.

Ohio State tight end Bennett Christian at practice on Aug. 3.

“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," Bennett said in a statement. "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.”

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Christian played in two games for the Buckeyes in 2022, appearing in the Toledo and Michigan State games.

Christian was one of 13 early enrollees in the 2022 recruiting class, coming in as the No. 408 player and No. 20 tight end in the class.

Ohio State fall camp: When are the Buckeyes practicing?

Here's a look at what Ohio State's fall camp practice schedule looks like.

Week 1: Aug. 3-5
Week 2: Aug. 6, 8-12
Week 3: Aug. 14-16 (17 or 18), 19
Week 4: Aug. 21-26
Week 6: Aug. 28-31, Sept. 1

USA TODAY Sports AFCA coaches poll: Preseason

Ohio State comes into the 2023 season as the No. 4 team in the country according to the USA TODAY Sports AFCA coaches' poll, one of four Big Ten teams in the top 25 along with No. 2 Michigan, No. 7 Penn State, and No. 21 Wisconsin. The Buckeyes received one first-place vote.

Georgia (61)
Michigan
Alabama (4)
Ohio State (1)
LSU
Southern California
Penn State
Florida State
Clemson
Tennessee
Washington
Texas
Notre Dame
Utah
Oregon
TCU
Kansas State
Oregon State
Oklahoma
North Carolina
Wisconsin
Mississippi
Tulane
Texas Tech
Texas A&M

Ohio State football schedule 2023

Here's what Ohio State's 2023 football schedule looks like.

Sept. 2: Ohio State vs. Indiana, Memorial Stadium, Bloomington, Indiana, 3:30 p.m., CBSSept. 9: Ohio State vs. Youngstown State, Ohio Stadium, Columbus, Ohio, 12 p.m., Big Ten Network Sept. 16: Ohio State vs. Western Kentucky, Ohio Stadium, Columbus, Ohio, 4 p.m., FOXSept. 23: Ohio State vs. Notre Dame, Notre Dame Stadium, South Bend, Indiana, 7:30 p.m., NBCOct. 7: Ohio State vs. Maryland, Ohio Stadium, Columbus, Ohio, 12 p.m. or 3:30 p.m./4 p.m.Oct. 14: Ohio State vs. Purdue, Ross-Ade Stadium, West Lafayette, IndianaOct. 21: Ohio State vs. Penn State, Ohio Stadium, Columbus, OhioOct. 28: Ohio State vs. Wisconsin, Camp Randall Stadium, Madison, WisconsinNov. 4: Ohio State vs. Rutgers, SHI Stadium, Piscataway, New JerseyNov. 11: Ohio State vs. Michigan State, Ohio Stadium, Columbus, Ohio, 7:30 p.m., NBCNov. 18: Ohio State vs. Minnesota, Ohio Stadium, Columbus, OhioNov. 25: Ohio State vs. Michigan, Michigan Stadium, Ann Arbor, Michigan, 12 p.m., FOX