In 2023, the Ohio State Buckeyes will have a tight end.

Head coach Ryan Day announced on Monday that Ohio State Buckeyes tight end Bennett Christian, who tested positive for a prohibited substance, will miss the entire 2023 season.

Christian claimed in a statement on X, the website that was formerly known as Twitter, that he failed a drug test in January after taking a supplement containing a substance that the NCAA had banned. Day stated that even though Christian won’t be able to participate in games in 2023, he will still train with the Buckeyes.

Christian stated that he accepts full responsibility  for what goes into my body and that he hopes his suspension be a lesson to everyone. He will not be eligible again until January 2024.

Christian released a statement saying, I am sorry that I put myself in this situation and even more disappointed to have let down my family, coaching staff, and teammates. I acknowledge accountability for my deeds and the suspension. If I had inquired about the supplement and made sure that it was compliant with policy with our training staff, all of this could have been easily avoided. That will always be remembered as a lesson, and moving forward, all athletes should be mindful of it.

I want to be the best teammate I can be this year and I want to keep supporting this programme, which I am so happy to be a part of. I’m excited to come back in 2024.

Having participated in two games against Toledo and Michigan State, Christian decided to redshirt his freshman year. The native of Acworth, Georgia, did not report receiving a reception in 2022.

Christian will face tough competition for the starting position when he rejoins the Buckeyes in 2024. Joe Royer and 6’6″, 258-pound freak of a player Jelani Thurman will probably return when tight end Cade Stover leaves the NFL.