Skip to main content
Join Now
Team Avatar
Ohio State

Ohio State tight end Max Klare declares for 2026 NFL Draft

IMG_0985by: Griffin McVeigh01/13/26griffin_mcveigh

According to ESPN’s Pete Thamel, Ohio State Buckeyes tight end Max Klare has declared for the 2026 NFL Draft. Klare does so with one season of college eligibility remaining. But after a year in Columbus following a three-season stint at Purdue, Klare is off to the next level.

“NEWS: Ohio State tight end Max Klare is leaving school early and entering the NFL Draft, he tells ESPN,” Thamel said via X. “Klare projects as one of the NFL draft’s top tight ends. He brings high-end production, with 43 catches for 448 yards and two touchdowns this year.”

Klare was a major offseason addition for Ohio State through the NCAA transfer portal. A different kind of weapon was needed in the offseason with Jeremiah Smith and Carnell Tate on the outside. The Buckeyes certainly feel like Klare delivered, putting together solid numbers for the tight end position.

Looking back at his high school recruitment, Klare played at Cincinnati (OH) St. Xavier, where he was a three-star prospect. He was the No. 1,220 overall recruit in the 2022 cycle, according to the Rivals Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.

Another season of eligibility was there for Klare due to a redshirt taken as a true freshman. Only two appearances are on the 2022 resume before seeing his role expand. Klare officially broke out in 2024 despite Purdue limping to a 1-11 season. His 51 receptions, 685 yards, and four touchdowns led the Boilermakers across the board.

Klare experienced quite the turnaround, from a team perspective by joining Ohio State. An undefeated regular season turned into a spot in the Big Ten title game vs. a familiar foe for Klare, Indiana. Ohio State then earned the No. 2 overall seed in the College Football Playoff. Unfortunately, the run ended before the Buckeyes wanted to, losing to Miami in the Cotton Bowl.

As for where Klare winds up getting drafted, NFL scouts are expected to be high on him. ESPN’s Mel Kiper ranks him as the No. 5 tight end in the cycle at this point. But the process is just getting started. Everyone will be waiting to see how Klare performs at the NFL Combine in Indianapolis. A good performance there can only boost his draft grade. When Klare’s name does get called, it will be another player added to the long list of guys drafted from Ohio State.