Ohio State doesn’t produce NFL tight ends quite like it does wide receivers or defensive backs. However, the Buckeyes have sent a modest handful of decent tight ends to the NFL. This year, Ohio State is gearing up to have not one, but two tight ends selected in the same draft for the first time in program history. Will Kacmarek may not have the high-end pedigree of his teammate, Max Klare. However, he does what NFL teams love, and he does it well.
2026 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Will Kacmarek
Measurables
Height: 6’5″
Weight: 261
Arms: 32.25″
Hands: 9.63″
40-yard: 4.74
Vertical: 36″
Broad jump: 9’11”
RAS: 7.94
School: Ohio State
Will Kacmarek NFL Draft Overview
Coming out of high school, Kacmarek was considered a two-star recruit by 247Sports and was wholly unranked and unrated by the composite rankings. Despite that, he earned one FBS scholarship offer. So, he committed to play for the Ohio Bobcats as a member of their 2021 recruiting class.
As a true freshman in 2021, Kacmarek appeared in just two games for the Bobcats, preserving his redshirt. In 2022, he earned a spot in the rotation. In 14 appearances (with two starts), Kacmarek hauled in 20 passes for 264 yards.
In 2023, he took over as the starting tight end at Ohio with 11 starts and two other appearances. In that time, he recorded 22 receptions for 243 yards and two touchdowns. Following the 2023 season, Kacmarek jumped into the transfer portal and landed at Ohio State.
In 2024, with the national championship-winning Buckeyes, Kacmarek managed 86 yards off eight receptions. Last year, he added 168 yards and two touchdowns on 15 receptions.
However, he wasn’t utilized much as a pass-catching tight end. Kacmarek was the quintessential inline blocking Y tight end. He considers himself the “best blocking tight end in the country.”
Strengths
- Best blocking tight end in the class
- Is a lineman in a tight end’s body
- Keeps feet moving when engaged
- Great at setting the edge
- Surprisingly sure hands, had zero drops at Ohio State
- Good in traffic across the middle
Weaknesses
- Not going to get much YAC from him
- Will need to develop hand fighting; he can get a bit too wide
- Can get too tall at the snap, resulting in losing the rep
- Underdeveloped route tree
Projection: Fifth Round
Best Fits: Cleveland Browns, Cincinnati Bengals, New England Patriots, Philadelphia Eagles, Jacksonville Jaguars
Bottom Line
Remember when the Bengals drafted Drew Sample to be their Y tight end in the second round? Well, if there is going to be a blocking tight end to be overdrafted, it could be Kacmarek. Will it be in the second round? Probably not. However, the possibility remains.
Kacmarek is as good a blocker as you’d find. He’s more than willing and able to take on larger defensive linemen and linebackers with a head of steam. He is great at setting the edge to spring a chunk play.
Surprisingly, he has sure hands and can use his massive frame to win matchups. Of course, there won’t be much YAC coming from Kacmarek, so only target him on gotta-have-it downs where you’re not looking for a massive chunk play.
The NFL loves its blocking tight ends. Kacmarek may look like a one-trick pony on the surface, but he could be a surprising regular contributor at the next level.
