A transfer addition from Ohio State is expected to erase the infamous Buckeyes’ curse.

Ohio State fans have long talked about a so-called “curse” involving tight ends. For nearly 30 years, the Buckeyes had not produced a tight end taken in the first two rounds of the NFL Draft. It felt like a stubborn hole in the program’s history, despite Ohio State’s reputation for sending many players to the league. This offseason, though, Ohio State added Max Klare  a big, productive tight end from Purdue—via the transfer portal, and analysts are projecting that he could finally break that curse. The Athletic’s Dane Brugler even ranks him as the second‑best tight end prospect in the 2026 NFL Draft cycle. 

Klare arrives in Columbus with a proven resume. He hauled in 51 catches for 685 yards and four touchdowns in 2024, ranking among the top tight ends nationally. Ohio State fans remember the days of Rickey Dudley, who was a first-round pick back in 1996  the last time a Buckeye tight end went that high. Since then, Ohio State produced a steady stream of stars at other positions, but tight ends slipped through the cracks. Now many expect that Klare can challenge for All-American honors and restore respect to the position in Columbus. 

This moment is symbolic for the program. Ohio State feels about tight ends what they once did about left tackles or linebackers: trusted, NFL-ready, valuable. The addition of Klare also reflects a larger shift in Ohio State’s approach: they are now aggressively using the portal to fill gaps with ready-to-play impact players. Alongside Klare, they also added running back C.J. Donaldson from West Virginia, offensive tackle Aireontae Ersery from Minnesota, and defensive end Logan George from Idaho State. 

Klare fits into Ohio State’s offense in more ways than one. He is a polished route-runner with strong hands and excellent understanding of spacing. Analysts say he quickly earned trust from quarterback projections and coaches alike. Players like Jeremiah Smith and Carnell Tate will still get targets, but Klare offers matchup versatility in the middle, red zone presence, and consistent reliability. Some scouts believe Klare’s arrival could elevate Ohio State’s passing game performance to another level. 

For Ohio State, breaking the tight end drought would mean more than just one player’s success. It would signal that the program can correct lingering pattern issues, build across all positions, and deliver NFL-ready talent even where the school has historically trailed. Klare’s early praise and national ranking indicate that breaking the curse is a real possibility and not just a catchy storyline. 

Ohio State lost more than 15 players via transfer after the national title win, requiring strategic replacements. But fans expect some of those portal additions to elevate the Buckeyes in 2025. Klare is the most prominent among them, and if he performs well, he could become the first Ohio State tight end drafted in the top two rounds in nearly three decades—a milestone that would help erase lingering doubts about the position’s NFL viability from OSU. 

More context: the talk of a “curse” isn’t mystical  it’s just a shorthand for Ohio State’s history of missing elite tight end production, despite recent successes at other positions. Now, with Klare’s arrival, some analysts  like Dane Brugler  expect him to be selected as high as mid-to-late first round in 2026. That projection alone earns mention because Ohio State’s tight end draft stock has slipped while stars at wide receiver, edge, and defensive line flourished. 

Fans and analysts also consider Klare’s profile a perfect fit for Ohio State’s loose ends offense under OC Chip Kelly. His ability to move, catch in traffic, and make quick reads in space is an asset. He could have big-games in conference slate matchups and College Football Playoff if he adjusts fast. Already projected as a leader in the tight end room, Klare is expected to open up the middle of the field for quarterbacks and create mismatch problems for opposing defenses.

On depth chart tracking, Klare will likely push returning tight ends for playing time. Bennett Christian and Jelani Thurman remain on the roster along with incoming freshmen. But Klare’s experience and production give him an early edge. If he delivers, he could become the most successful tight end Ohio State has had since the 1990s. 

Players around the program have also welcomed Klare. Teammates and coaches frequently praise his work ethic, attention to detail, and leadership traits  qualities that often translate to early playing time and respect in the locker room. His body language and maturity suggest he will be more than a situational player he has the tools to be a focal point of the offense. 

Looking ahead, Alabama, Georgia, Michigan, and other top-tier teams regularly land dynamic tight ends, but Ohio State has been absent from that conversation. Klare’s arrival may change that narrative, especially if he becomes the first Ohio State tight end drafted in the first two rounds when the 2026 NFL Draft arrives. Analysts believe that if he delivers on field production, the “curse” story fades quickly. 

If Ohio State goes deep in the playoff again, and Klare catches key touchdown passes, national media will spotlight the narrative: Ohio State finally corrected a longtime blind spot. That carries recruiting weight too  future tight end prospects may now see OSU as a destination again, trusting that past position weaknesses have been addressed.

At its core, this transfer addition is bigger than just filling a gap. It shows that Ohio State is evolving  embracing the portal era, targeting top available talent, and pushing to eliminate position-specific weaknesses. If Klare lives up to projections, the Buckeyes won’t just win games they’ll show they’re building complete rosters in every area.

For Ohio State fans, anticipation is high. Klare’s commitment and projected impact has already stirred excitement. If he becomes the top tight end in the conference or even nationally then the so-called “curse” will be nothing more than a footnote in history. And perhaps more importantly, it’ll mark Ohio State as a program that fixed its own problem and moved forward.

So now, all eyes are on Max Klare this fall. If he returns first-round NFL hype or helps the Buckeyes dominate key matchups it could be the headline everyone remembers: the transfer that finally freed Ohio State from three decades of tight end underperformance.