Ohio State Buckeyes landed one of the most impactful transfers in the country and his new teammates are going to reap the benefits

Ohio State’s biggest need in the transfer portal following last season was help at offensive tackle. The Buckeyes lost three starters along the offensive line from last year’s National Championship team and lacked depth at the tackle position.

Adding Ethan Onianwa and Phillip Daniels was crucial for the Buckeyes, but those weren’t their most notable additions—even if they were the most necessary.

ESPN recently laid out the top transfers to watch in college football, and Ohio State’s newest offensive weapon came in at No. 10:

“Max Klare, TE, Ohio State: The Buckeyes’ passing attack didn’t need any extra help going into 2025 with the star power the team returns at wide receiver, but Klare could end up being a sneaky great addition. The Purdue transfer ranked fourth among all Power 4 tight ends with a team-high 685 receiving yards on 51 receptions last season and should be a dependable target for the Buckeyes’ inexperienced QBs.”

Ohio State hasn’t traditionally been a premier destination for tight ends, as the position isn’t heavily utilized in their offense. Cade Stover and Jeremy Ruckert were solid contributors, but neither brought the level of talent that Klare now adds. With the offense transitioning to a new starting quarterback—potentially Julian Sayin—Klare could become a valuable security blanket for the young signal-caller.

As a redshirt sophomore last season with Purdue, Klare broke out with 685 receiving yards and four touchdowns. He even found the end zone during the Buckeyes’ spring game in April, offering an early glimpse of his potential impact in Columbus.