Max Klare, top tight end in transfer portal, picks Ohio State - ESPN

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

Klare is a redshirt sophomore who will have two years of eligibility remaining. He emerged as one of the country's most productive tight ends in 2024, hauling in 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 to him by offensive coordinator Chip Kelly and tight ends coach Keenan Bailey as playing a big role in his decision.

«Really, when it came down to making the decision, Coach Day's ability to develop players and send them off to the NFL, the developmental process for me was huge,» Klare told ESPN.

He added that the program's annual high ceiling also played 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 being around a lot of likeminded individuals that are going to push me to be my best.»

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

Klare's commitment continues a strong week for Ohio State, which advanced in 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 C.J. 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.

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