Ohio State’s spring practices will have plenty of interesting headlines and players to watch. Considering how much turnover the program has had, both in the player and coaching ranks, it only makes sense. While there are, rightfully, more eyeballs on the receivers and running backs, the tight ends’ room is just as intriguing.
From two new transfers to having an offensive coordinator who was infamous for his affinity for tight ends in the NFL, this could be an interesting season for the Buckeye tight ends. With the team and university on spring break, let’s take a look at one of the more underutilized and underappreciated groups on the Ohio State roster.
Spring Buckeye Breakdown: A Deep, Unproven Tight End Room
A Promising Sophomore
Getting on the field as a true freshman is not something to take lightly, especially when that playing time came on an offense with plenty of NFL talent. Nate Roberts logged 160 snaps last year, the fourth-most among tight ends. Of those 160 snaps, the vast majority were in an odd fullback role, resulting in one yard on two carries. As a recruit, Roberts was a highly recruited, four-star prospect out of Oklahoma. Over the course of his final three seasons in high school, Roberts amassed 2,369 yards and 31 touchdowns. In his first season with the Buckeyes, he only recorded four catches for 40 yards.
This year, it could be more of the same. However, with Roberts’ receiving and play-making chops, it may be a waste. Roberts averaged over 20 yards per catch as a senior. While Jelani Thurman, who was more of a receiving-only threat, transferred out to North Carolina, Roberts could step into that receiving role vacated by Max Klare.
While Ohio State brought in a pair of transfers at the position, Roberts’ upside may be too exciting to keep in that fullback role.
The New Guys
With Klare and Will Kacmarek heading to the NFL, plus Thurman leaving via the portal, Ohio State needed to add. In total, those three departures open up over 1,000 combined snaps.
The first incoming transfer on the docket was Mason Williams, following in Kacmarek’s Ohio-to-Ohio State steps. With the Bobcats, Williams hauled in 48 passes for 565 yards and six touchdowns over the last three seasons. Just like Roberts, Williams is six-foot-five and is an athlete. He’s more of a man mover than a pass catcher, just like Kacmarek. Last year, Kacmarek led the way in snaps, so it stands to reason that Williams, assuming he’s up to it, will stand atop the tight end depth chart.
Finally, unlike in 2025, Ohio State will feature a player from the 2020 recruiting cycle. Hunter Welcing comes to Columbus as a seventh-year senior after spending six years with Northwestern. He only recorded any stats over the last two seasons, totalling 316 yards and two touchdowns on 29 receptions. He’s going to factor into the rotation, but it may behoove the Buckeyes to use him in that fullback role and let Roberts do what he does best.
Plenty of Unproven Depth
Behind those three is plenty of unproven talent. When you stack up the seven scholarship tight ends on Ohio State’s 2026 roster, Williams and Welcing are the most productive. Among those who have done anything at Ohio State, Bennett Christian leads the way with his 77 yards and two touchdowns. Christian was actually on the receiving end of Julian Sayin’s first touchdown pass in 2024 against Western Michigan.
Behind him, there’s Brody Lennon, Max LeBlanc, and Nick Lauta, all of whom have yet to record a single reception. Lennon was the 12th-best player from Ohio in the 2025 recruiting class and the best tight end. LeBlanc was a four-star recruit in the 2024 class, while Lauta is a brand-new true freshman.
Ohio State has recruited the tight end position well, but it does not have a history of utilizing it. Between Christian, Lennon, LeBlanc, and Lauta, the Buckeyes are going to need a fourth tight end to trust with real snaps. Remember, last year, the Buckeyes had five tight ends with at least 135 snaps.
Plus, if there is an offensive coordinator who loves tight ends, it’s Arthur Smith.
Main Image: Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
