The Ohio State Buckeyes' tight end position is in flux as they gear up for the 2026 season. With the departure of Max Klare and Will Kacmarek, the team is relying on a mix of returning players and transfers to fill the void. Among the standout performers this spring is Nate Roberts, a sophomore who has emerged as the frontrunner to start at tight end. Roberts, who played many of his snaps as a fullback last season, has shown he can be a complete player at the position, catching four passes for 30 yards and taking on in-line blocking responsibilities.
Also impressing the coaches were transfer tight ends Mason Williams and Hunter Welcing. Williams, who caught 48 passes for 565 yards and six touchdowns in three years at Ohio, demonstrated his ability to be an effective weapon in the short and intermediate passing game. Welcing, who had 28 catches for 296 yards and two touchdowns last season at Northwestern, looked the part of a capable contributor as both a receiver and blocker.
However, the Buckeyes still have some questions to answer. Will one or more consistent pass-catching threats emerge from the group? It's a question that remains unanswered, given that no tight end on the roster has reached 30 catches or 300 receiving yards in a collegiate season. Roberts looks like the leading candidate to become the top pass-catcher, but expecting him to singlehandedly replace Klare would be a big ask for a sophomore who caught four passes as a freshman.
The projected depth chart for the 2026 season includes Roberts, Williams, Welcing, and Bennett Christian, with Max LeBlanc, Brody Lennon, and Nick Lautar all looking like longer shots to play regularly. The team will be relying on this group to provide depth and experience at tight end, with the understanding that none of them will be as dynamic as Klare or Kacmarek.
In conclusion, the Buckeyes' tight end position is in a state of flux, with the team relying on a mix of returning players and transfers to fill the void. While Roberts has emerged as the frontrunner to start, the team still has some questions to answer, particularly regarding the emergence of consistent pass-catching threats. However, with the depth and experience of the group, the Buckeyes should be able to provide enough support for an elite receiving corps led by Jeremiah Smith.
