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USA Today
20-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
ESPN names Ohio State football's x-factor in 2025
Every college football season, there are some things a team can feel pretty good about as known commodities. For Ohio State, it's almost a lock that receiver Jeremiah Smith is going to have a huge year, and you can also bank on safety Caleb Downs being a difference maker on defense. Aside from that, there are a lot of new starters and things that we just don't know. For instance, how will the defense retool? Can the new quarterback be productive enough to give the Buckeyes a chance at some pretty big things in 2025? What about the running game that lost two fantastic options from last year? All of those and more need to be answered this fall and will go a long way towards what type of year Ohio State has. But who, of anyone, might be the X-factor for the Buckeyes and make the ultimate difference between a good year and a great one? It's a good question, and trying to figure it out is just a best-guess type of scenario, but ESPN was up for the task in trying to identify who that is when it identified an X-factor for every one of its top 25 teams heading into this coming season. For Ohio State, that X-factor is Purdue transfer tight end Max Klare, who should grab the starting tight end spot after having a very, very productive 2024 season for the Boilermakers. "The Buckeyes landed the top tight end in the transfer portal in Klare, who arrived in Columbus from Purdue, wrote ESPN's Jake Trotter. "Klare caught 51 passes for 685 years and four touchdowns during his sophomore season, easily leading the Boilermakers in those three categories. The 6-foot-4, 240-pound Klare figures to give the Buckeyes a dynamic target over the middle of the field, nicely complementing receiver Carnell Tate and All-American wideout Jeremiah Smith. Klare's presence should also give Ohio State's new starting quarterback -- whether it's Julian Sayin or Lincoln Kienholz -- a playmaking security blanket early in the season. With Smith set to command attention on the outside, Klare should find plenty of favorable matchups operating inside." It's a good point by Trotter. With arguably the best receiving group in college football, and perhaps the best weapon in the game with Jeremiah Smith, Klare could be left open a lot on check-downs and across the middle. And with a new quarterback, he could be like a warm glass of milk as a safety valve when needed. It could result in a huge year for Klare. Of course, there are other guys or things that could be an X-factor, especially on defense or in the running game, but I like ESPN's thoughts on Klare being a difference maker, even more than many might think in 2025. Contact/Follow us @BuckeyesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Ohio State news, notes and opinion. Follow Phil Harrison on X.
Yahoo
20-02-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Ranking the top five portal TE classes
© Alex Martin/Journal and Courier / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images Teams around the country solidified the foundation of their roster during the winter transfer window. This week we're highlighting the best transfer classes by position. Today the tight ends are under the microscope. RELATED: Ranking the top five portal QB classes | Top portal RB classes | Top portal WR classes MORE TRANSFER PORTAL: Latest news | Transfer search | Transfer Team Ranking | Football Player Ranking Ohio State is stacked at the skill positions and now the Buckeyes have added one of the most promising tight ends in the nation in Max Klare. Over his first two seasons at Purdue, Klare established himself as a well-rounded tight end and a legitimate receiving threat. In Ohio State's offense, the tight ends aren't exactly a focal point but Klare is the type of tight end who has the tools to maximize his opportunities to impact the game. SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS WITH OHIO STATE FANS AT Lane Kiffin has built a reputation of an offensive mastermind and Luke Hasz gives him another chess piece to move around and create mismatches. Hasz isn't a typical end-line, hand-in-the-ground tight end. He can stand up in the slot like a receiver and he can line up in the backfield. Hasz hasn't been overwhelmingly productive during his career but he brings a lot of value because of his versatility. SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS WITH OLE MISS FANS AT © Steve Roberts-Imagn Images The winter transfer portal window was a tough one for Wisconsin but landing Tanner Koziol was one of the bright spots. The former Ball State tight end was one of the most productive pass catchers in FBS last season with 94 catches for 839 yards and eight touchdowns. The Badgers are hoping to take a big step forward on offense this season and Koziol figures to be a big part of their plans. SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS WITH WISCONSIN FANS AT © BRYAN TERRY/THE OKLAHOMAN / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images Brian Kelly and staff retooled their offense in a big way this offseason and their new tight ends should end up being big contributors this season. Bauer Sharp posted just over 600 receiving yards and five touchdowns over the last two seasons but has shown flashes of high-end ability. Donovan Green, a former Texas A&M tight end, was a touted recruit coming out of the high school ranks but he hasn't lived up to the expectations. A fresh start in Baton Rouge could do him some good. SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS WITH LSU FANS AT © Stephen Lew-Imagn Images Boston College and coach Bill O'Brien signed multiple Alabama transfers during the winter transfer portal window and Ty Lockwood is one who should provide immediate help at tight end. A former four-star prospect out of high school, Lockwood is a talented player but has not played much during his first two collegiate seasons. That being said, O'Brien understands as much as any coach how to get the most out of a tight end and Lockwood certainly has the tools to be a major part of Boston College's offense next season. SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS WITH BOSTON COLLEGE FANS AT
