Ohio State’s tight end room will rely on two familiar faces and two transfers to help carry the load on offense. Here’s how the room breaks down. 

When the Ohio State Buckeyes take the field against Ball State in the season opener, there will be some faces we expect to see right away and some we are unsure of. The Ohio State tight end room will look a bit different than it did last year, and the games against Ball State and Kent State early in the season will be great chances for all of the players to see some action.

Two of the leading guys in the room last season were drafted in the first three rounds of the 2026 NFL Draft. Max Klare transferred in from Purdue after a great 2024 season and was the starter for the Ohio State tight end group in 2025. He was taken with the 29th pick in the second round by the Los Angeles Rams and should get a chance to make an impact with Matthew Stafford and company.

Alongside Max Klare was Will Kacmarek, who was taken with the 23rd pick in the third round by the Miami Dolphins. He will likely see the field often, especially as a blocker for a struggling Dolphins offense. Both Klare and Kacmarek made big catches and blocks throughout the season, and replenishing their load will be a group effort. Here are a few storylines to keep an eye on for the Ohio State tight ends during the 2026 season.

How Will the Group Replicate the Production from Klare and Kacmarek?

Last season Max Klare finished third on the team in receptions (43), third in receiving yards (448), and tied for fourth in receiving touchdowns (2). He is a good route runner with solid hands and can gain yards after the catch. Will Kacmerak was tied for sixth on the team in receptions (15), sixth in receiving yards (168), and tied for fourth in receiving touchdowns (2). He is better known as a physical blocker but also made some plays in the passing game.

The team also lost tall tight end Jelani Thurman, who transferred to the North Carolina Tar Heels for this season. The two remaining tight ends who saw time last year are Nate Roberts and Bennett Christian, but both were used more for blocking than for their pass-catching.

In order to fill out the room, the Buckeyes were active in the transfer portal to get some more tight ends. Hunter Welcing stayed in the Big Ten as he joined the Scarlet and Gray after previously playing for the Northwestern Wildcats. Mason Williams stayed in Ohio after transferring to Columbus from the Ohio Bobcats.

This group of four will look to help out Julian Sayin and the offense. The running back and wide receiver rooms are filled with playmakers, but these guys will be needed every now and then to make a key block to spring a run – or a big catch to move the chains.

Who Will Jog Out With The Starters Week One?

With two of the most-used tight ends now playing on Sundays, the starting spot as well as backup roles are wide open. Given his playing time late in the season as well as his strong offseason, Nate Roberts appears to be slated in with the starters. He has been running with the 1s at fall camp and has a versatile skill set.

He had two carries for one yard as well as four receptions for 30 yards in his first season as a Buckeye. The former four-star recruit possesses a big frame and will be leaned on in both phases of the offense.

Mason Williams is also expected to see the field a good amount and had 48 receptions, 565 yards, and seven total touchdowns in his first three years at Ohio University. Like Roberts, Williams can be used as a blocker and can run routes, but also brings some experience and leadership to the room.

Will The Pecking Order Change Throughout The Season?

Bennett Christian returns with Nate Roberts from the 2025 squad, and the redshirt senior will handle some of the heavy blocking assignments. He has proven to be a good asset in the running game and will provide veteran leadership.

Hunter Welcing is a graduate transfer and is remaining in the Big Ten with the scarlet and gray, but will likely be more of a veteran depth piece for this year’s squad. This room has a unique blend of veterans and young guys, as well as players who have played and those who have not for Ryan Day’s squad.

Last year on offense, it was evident that the pecking order can change, as we saw the running back and tight end rooms change significantly throughout the season. Given the talent of all of the skill position groups this season, we could see different starters and roles throughout the year.

With the new 12-team playoff, teams will try to maintain steady workloads for their starters while keeping them game-ready. The Ohio State tight end room for 2026 will need to do its job and add another wrinkle for what should be one of the best offenses in the country yet again.