Ohio State star confirms suspicion about his playing future with announcement that impacts Buckeyes immediately
The Ohio State offense will need a bit of a makeover for 2026.
The 2026 NFL Draft will be filled with multiple impact prospects from the Ohio State Buckeyes, and it just added another one, officially, on Tuesday afternoon.
Ohio State’s Max Klare declares for 2026 NFL Draft as one of the top TE prospects
The Buckeyes top tight end and key offensive weapon is headed for the NFL. Klare is widely expected to be selected in the first three rounds of the draft. He is often included in mock drafts for teams like the Denver Broncos, Los Angeles Chargers, Kansas City Chiefs, among others.
Klare is an athletic receiving threat at the tight end position, and our mock draft database at A to Z Sports has projected him as a potential day two pick.
His receiving prowess headlines his pro profile, but he has work to do in the blocking game. If he develops that part of his game, he could headline a TE room in the NFL sooner rather than later.
“Looking ahead to the next level, Klare’s game translates best to spread offenses that can leverage his receiving abilities from multiple alignments while minimizing his blocking responsibilities early in his career. His ceiling hinges entirely on blocking development – without significant improvement there, he risks being pigeonholed as a situational passing-down specialist.
With proper strength gains and technical refinement, however, his complete skill set could become a true three-down weapon. The best path forward involves gradually increasing his blocking responsibilities at Ohio State while continuing to refine the natural receiving talents that already make him dangerous in the passing game.” — NFL Draft Buzz
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Buckeyes prepared for this news with recent portal activity
Brandon Little provided more insight about how the Buckeyes plan to replace his production next season and how Klare could fare in the future.
“Ohio State’s biggest splash in the transfer portal last year was bringing in Klare from Purdue. While Klare didn’t have the biggest season — he became a more complete tight end — and that’s what he landed in Columbus to do. Klare now follows in the footsteps of Cade Stover as the next tight end drafted from Ohio State.
The Buckeyes started the portal period out by adding former Ohio TE Mason Williams. Williams is set to be more of a blocker and will replace Will Kacmarek.
Ohio State added former Northwestern TE Hunter Welcing on Monday and he’s a seventh-year senior. Welcing was an All-Big Ten tight end in 2025 with 296 receiving yards on 28 catches with two touchdowns. Welcing will help with the loss of Klare, but expect other names to step up like Bennett Christian and Nate Roberts.”
Ohio State Buckeyes News
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