Max Klare, top tight end in the transfer portal, chooses Ohio State

Former Purdue tight end Max Klare has committed to Ohio State, he told ESPN. He is no. 1 tight end in the NCAA’s transfer portal on ESPN’s rankings.

Klare is a redshirt sophomore who will have two years of eligibility remaining. He emerged as one of the nation’s most productive tight ends in 2024, catching 51 passes for 685 yards and four receiving touchdowns. Each of those numbers led the Boilermakers.

He pointed to coach Ryan Day’s history of developing players and the plan laid out for him by offensive coordinator Chip Kelly and tight ends coach Keenan Bailey as playing a big role in his decision.

“Really, when it came to making the decision, Coach Day’s ability to develop players and send them to the NFL, the development process for me was huge,” Klare told ESPN.

He added that the program’s high annual cap also factored into the decision.

“Just an opportunity to win a national championship and develop into a better player and play against the best competition day in and day out,” Klare said, “and to be around a lot of like-minded individuals who will push me to be my best.”

ESPN’s No. 20 overall player in this transfer portal class, he chose Ohio State over heavy interest from Texas, Michigan, Louisville and Texas A&M.

Klare’s commitment continues a strong week for Ohio State, which advanced to the first round of the College Football Playoff on Saturday night with a blowout win over Tennessee. Ohio State announced earlier Monday that it added West Virginia transfer tailback CJ Donaldson, who has 2,058 career rushing yards and 31 touchdowns. The Buckeyes also got commitments Monday from former Idaho State defensive end Logan George and former Minnesota offensive tackle Phillip Daniels.

Ohio State prioritized Klare as a portal target after seeing the Big Ten production and potential in his 6-foot-4, 240-pound frame.

Klare comes from Guilford, Indiana, on the outskirts of Cincinnati. He attended Cincinnati’s St. Xavier High School, the powerhouse program that has produced several notable players, including Luke Kuechly, and coaches like Tom O’Brien.

Klare noted that it’s only about an hour and 40 minute drive for his family to see him play.

“I played high school football in Ohio,” he said. “Coming back to Ohio and playing college football, it was really cool for me to be able to do that and stay close to family.”

Klare redshirted at Purdue in 2022 and appeared in just one game. He played five games in 2023, making four starts, before an injury cut his season short. He had 22 catches for 196 yards in 2023 during that span.

He broke out in 2024, and finished as no. 6 nationally among tight ends in receiving yards and caught 33 passes converted for first downs.

He said he looks forward to going up against star Ohio State safety Caleb Downs in practice every day. Downs will be one of the best defensive players in college football in 2025.

“Playing against him every day and then going out and playing on Saturday makes it a lot easier in terms of the preparation part,” he said. “Being able to go against the best every day is huge for your development.”

Klare said he came away impressed with the staff and the plan they laid out for him.

“There was a good connection with Coach (Bailey),” he said. “We see a lot of things the same way. He’s a hungry coach who will push me to be my best and get everything out of me.”

ESPN’s Max Olson contributed reporting.