Ohio State football just made a transfer portal addition that may put unfortunate writing on the wall for a key NFL departure
The Buckeyes are making plans for what they may expect for the 2026 NFL Draft.
The Ohio State Buckeyes continue to make moves with the transfer portal still open. Their latest acquisition could spell some unfortunate news coming down the pipeline, though.
Veteran tight end Max Klare could enter the 2026 NFL Draft, and now, the Buckeyes have a stronger contingency plan for if that occurs. If he chooses to return, the recent moves only add to the depth at TE for Ryan Day’s team.
Ohio State’s latest portal addition may help replace Max Klare if he leaves for draft
According to Hayes Fawcett, Northwestern TE Hunter Welcing has committed to Ohio State.
Welcing joins former Ohio TE Mason Williams as the second transfer tight end to join the Buckeyes roster. While neither may be quite as flashy as the addition of Klare last offseason, their skill sets line up nicely as a duo if Klare enters the draft. Both of them have one year of eligibility remaining.
I discussed the impact of Ohio State’s move and how they could get notable production from a plethora of tight end options in 2026 with Brandon Little, who covers the team.
“Ohio State used plenty of extra tight ends during the 2025 season and will again in 2026. The Buckeyes want tight end depth capable of blocking and catching passes from QB Julian Sayin. Ohio State has added Mason Williams from Ohio already in the transfer portal, and he gives them their blocking tight end to replace Will Kacmarek.
“If Klare declares for the draft, the Buckeyes now have a proven pass catcher at the position who has done it in the Big Ten. Adding in the Buckeyes losing Jelaini Thurman to North Carolina, adding two tight ends was a must. Tight ends coach Keenan Bailey has to be a happy guy with how this portal window has gone for his position.” — Brandon Little, A to Z Sports
Hunter Welcing background
The new Buckeyes tight end had a breakout season in 2025 at Northwestern after multiple years of tough injury luck. Welcing totaled 28 receptions for 296 yards and two touchdowns, earning an honorable mention All-Big Ten nod.
Welcing will be a seventh-year senior next season. That will make him the oldest player on Ohio State’s roster for the 2026 campaign.
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