Eric Boggs
The Ohio State Buckeyes are well known for their high-powered offense, but tight ends coach Keenan Bailey believes his unit is ready to make a statement in 2024. With veteran talent, a key transfer addition, and a culture built on toughness and grit, the Buckeyes’ tight end room might be one of the deepest and most complete in the nation.
Max Klare’s Seamless Transition
Among the offseason storylines, the arrival of Purdue transfer Max Klare has been a major talking point. Through the first few spring practices, Bailey has been impressed with how quickly Klare has adapted.
“Probably the most impressive thing is how seamless the transition has been to our unit,” Bailey said. “On the field, he’s playing well. We knew he’d play well, but just finding the culture of being an Ohio State tight end, it comes with an air of something, some certain traits of being a tough guy, and he’s embodied that.”
Bailey highlighted Klare’s strengths as a polished route runner and his versatility in both perimeter and in-line blocking. His skill set, which complemented the existing players in the room, made him an attractive addition to an already deep group.
A Room Built on Depth and Competition
Ohio State returns several experienced tight ends, including Will Kaczmarek, Bennett Christian, and Jelani Thurman. The depth allows Bailey to challenge his players to reach new levels of production.
“This has got to be the deepest tight end room we’ve had,” Bailey said. “We had four or five tight ends play in the playoffs, and four of those six are back. We’ve got tons of guys who have started college football games in big-time moments.”
Bailey emphasized that competition extends beyond the tight end room itself. With Ohio State’s stacked wide receiver corps, tight ends must prove they can create matchup nightmares against single coverage and contribute in the passing game.
“If my tight ends can’t beat single coverage, we’re going to have issues, and I’ll get another tight end who can,” Bailey stated bluntly.
Leadership and Development
Bailey has also seen significant growth from his returning players. Thurman, in particular, has stepped up as a leader, taking younger players like Clair under his wing.
“He’s off the charts night and day more mature,” Bailey said of Thurman. “I’m challenging him to learn every position on offense. Don’t just be a Y. Be a Y. Be an H. Know what the Z’s got. And then also be a leader.”
Ohio State’s tight ends are no longer flying under the radar. Bailey believes this group should set the tone for the Buckeye offense with its physicality and relentless effort.
“You cut open an Ohio State tight end, he’s going to be a bad dude who goes really freaking hard and is just gritty as all get out,” Bailey said. “We should set the tone for the offense, for the team, and nationally.”
With a blend of veteran experience, new talent, and a hunger to prove themselves, the Buckeyes’ tight ends are ready to show they are more than just a complementary unit. They’re here to lead from the front.
