Kentucky football offensive line loses one transfer to season-ending injury

Kentucky football’s offense line rebuild will be missing one of the offseason transfer portal additions this fall.

Ohio State transfer Ben Christman will miss the 2023 season with an injury, UK Coach Mark Stoops announced Monday. Stoops did not specify Christman’s injury, but the offensive guard was spotted on crutches with a knee brace in UK’s practice facility during a recent media availability.

A former four-star recruit, Christman was expected to serve a key rotation role at guard behind starters Kenneth Horsey and Eli Cox. Coaches also signaled entering preseason camp that Christman would have an opportunity to play tackle as well.

With Christman out, sophomore Paul Rodriguez was listed as Horsey’s backup on the week one depth chart. Alabama transfer Tanner Bowles was listed as the backup at right guard behind Cox and center behind Jager Burton.

West Virginia transfer Dylan Ray, who was recruited as a walk-on, was listed as the backup behind Marques Cox at left tackle, but Stoops said Ray could also play guard if needed.

“We’re going to need to play seven or eight guys at times,” offensive coordinator Liam Coen said of the offensive line rotation last week.

This story was originally published August 28, 2023 at 12:35 PM.

Jon Hale

Lexington Herald-Leader

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Jon Hale is the University of Kentucky football beat writer for the Lexington Herald-Leader. He joined the Herald-Leader in 2022 but has covered UK athletics for more than 10 years. Hale was named the 2021 Kentucky Sportswriter of the Year. Support my work with a digital subscription