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Max Klare slipped by the safeties.
It was in the first quarter of Ohio State’s spring game on Saturday when Klare found space between Caleb Downs and Malik Hartford in coverage.
Running down the seam toward the north end zone at Ohio Stadium, he brought in a pass from quarterback Julian Sayin and crossed the goal line for a 26-yard touchdown that stood among the early highlights of the annual scrimmage.
“He’s going to be a weapon for us in the fall,” coach Ryan Day said.
Klare, who had another catch for 2 yards during the spring game, was one of the biggest transfer portal prizes for the Buckeyes during the winter window, giving them one of the most productive pass-catching tight ends in the nation.
Before leaving Purdue after last season, Klare had led the Boilermakers in receiving with 51 catches for 685 yards and four touchdowns. Only nine tight ends in the Football Bowl Subdivision had more receptions in 2024.
Along with Jelani Thurman, Klare went out with the first-string offense during the scrimmage. They rotated in place of Will Kacmarek, the Buckeyes’ top returning tight end who has been out with an injury and was seen this week with a protective boot on his left.
Kacmarek’s injury is not a long-term one. Day expects him to be available for workouts this summer, but his absence provided a closer glimpse of Klare, who figures to complement his blocking this year.
The playmaking potential of Klare was evident before the snap that led to his touchdown. Rather than crouching in a three-point stance adjacent to a tackle, he lined up in the slot alongside receiver Brandon Inniss and looked like a pass catcher who could help replace Emeka Egbuka’s production inside.
Klare needed little time to get open, providing Sayin with an immediate target.
“It’s quick to point out how quick Max gets down the field,” Day said, “how quick he gets in and out of his breaks and his ball skills. We’re going to work really hard this summer on some of his route running.”
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When he met with reporters earlier in spring practice, Klare said his experience as a quarterback has helped him as a route runner.
It was the position he played until he was a junior at St. Xavier High School in Cincinnati in 2020, giving him a greater familiarity with passing concepts.
“I try to understand the whole play, the whole concept, from a very deep level, find those holes in the defense and be on the same page with the quarterback,” he said after a practice two weeks ago.
The combination allowed him to flash this weekend as the Buckeyes finished spring practice.
Joey Kaufman covers Ohio State football for The Columbus Dispatch. Email him at [email protected] and follow along on Bluesky, Instagram and X for more.
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Ohio State football tight end Max Klare flashes in spring game
Continue reading...
It was in the first quarter of Ohio State’s spring game on Saturday when Klare found space between Caleb Downs and Malik Hartford in coverage.
Running down the seam toward the north end zone at Ohio Stadium, he brought in a pass from quarterback Julian Sayin and crossed the goal line for a 26-yard touchdown that stood among the early highlights of the annual scrimmage.
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“He’s going to be a weapon for us in the fall,” coach Ryan Day said.
Klare, who had another catch for 2 yards during the spring game, was one of the biggest transfer portal prizes for the Buckeyes during the winter window, giving them one of the most productive pass-catching tight ends in the nation.
Before leaving Purdue after last season, Klare had led the Boilermakers in receiving with 51 catches for 685 yards and four touchdowns. Only nine tight ends in the Football Bowl Subdivision had more receptions in 2024.
Along with Jelani Thurman, Klare went out with the first-string offense during the scrimmage. They rotated in place of Will Kacmarek, the Buckeyes’ top returning tight end who has been out with an injury and was seen this week with a protective boot on his left.
Kacmarek’s injury is not a long-term one. Day expects him to be available for workouts this summer, but his absence provided a closer glimpse of Klare, who figures to complement his blocking this year.
The playmaking potential of Klare was evident before the snap that led to his touchdown. Rather than crouching in a three-point stance adjacent to a tackle, he lined up in the slot alongside receiver Brandon Inniss and looked like a pass catcher who could help replace Emeka Egbuka’s production inside.
Klare needed little time to get open, providing Sayin with an immediate target.
“It’s quick to point out how quick Max gets down the field,” Day said, “how quick he gets in and out of his breaks and his ball skills. We’re going to work really hard this summer on some of his route running.”
Buy Ohio State books, posters, gear from CFP title win
When he met with reporters earlier in spring practice, Klare said his experience as a quarterback has helped him as a route runner.
It was the position he played until he was a junior at St. Xavier High School in Cincinnati in 2020, giving him a greater familiarity with passing concepts.
“I try to understand the whole play, the whole concept, from a very deep level, find those holes in the defense and be on the same page with the quarterback,” he said after a practice two weeks ago.
The combination allowed him to flash this weekend as the Buckeyes finished spring practice.
Joey Kaufman covers Ohio State football for The Columbus Dispatch. Email him at [email protected] and follow along on Bluesky, Instagram and X for more.
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This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Ohio State football tight end Max Klare flashes in spring game
Continue reading...
