ESPN Names Biggest X-Factor For Ohio State This Season

Championship hangovers might be a real thing for some programs, but Ohio State is expected to be a title contender this fall. 

Although upperclassmen like Will Howard and Jack Sawyer are gone, Ohio State still has two game-changing stars on its roster in Caleb Downs and Jeremiah Smith. We also can't forget about Carnell Tate, Luke Montgomery and Sonny Styles. Of course, we also can't rule out a few newcomers leading the charge for Ohio State.

With the 2025 regular season almost here, ESPN has named the biggest X-factor for every top 25 team. 

According to ESPN, the biggest X-factor for the Buckeyes is none other than tight end Max Klare. He's coming off an All-Big Ten season with Purdue.

"The Buckeyes landed the top tight end in the transfer portal in Klare, who arrived in Columbus from Purdue. Klare caught 51 passes for 685 years and four touchdowns during his sophomore season, easily leading the Boilermakers in those three categories," ESPN's Jake Trotter wrote. "The 6-foot-4, 240-pound Klare figures to give the Buckeyes a dynamic target over the middle of the field, nicely complementing receiver Carnell Tate and All-American wideout Jeremiah Smith. Klare's presence should also give Ohio State's new starting quarterback - whether it's Julian Sayin or Lincoln Kienholz - a playmaking security blanket early in the season. With Smith set to command attention on the outside, Klare should find plenty of favorable matchups operating inside."