Ohio State faces a massive gap at tight end, but the solution is already on the roster. The team lost Max Klare, Will Kacmarek, and Jelani Thurman, who played almost every meaningful snap for the last two seasons. Replacing that experience with one star recruit was never the plan. Instead, the coaching staff built a room where everyone has a specific job. This shift creates more flexibility than the Buckeyes have seen in years.
Roberts is ready for the heavy lifting
Nate Roberts projects as the clear number one tight end for the upcoming season. He arrived as a four-star recruit with the size and speed to play right away. At 6-foot-5 and 240 pounds, he looks like a future starter. What makes him special is the trust the coaches put in him as a true freshman. He played in every game, caught passes, ran the ball, and blocked. He even lined up as an H-Back and split out wide. Freshman tight ends rarely get that much responsibility unless coaches think they can play every down.
Now that chance has arrived. Roberts must replace the receiving numbers Klare used to put up. He also has to take on the blocking duties that belonged to Kacmarek. That is a huge job, but his skills fit the need perfectly. Former Buckeye Jake Butt told Ohio State on BTN exactly what to watch for. “A guy I’m buying stock in that no one’s really going to talk about as much is Nate Roberts,” Butt said. The coaches know this, and the fans should too.
A group effort over a single star
Behind Roberts, the depth chart looks solid. Mason Williams is the favorite to be the number two tight end. Hunter Welcing and Bennett Christian are fighting for the next set of snaps. Maxence LeBlanc and Brody Lennon are still learning the ropes for the future. The names might not ring a bell across the nation yet. But the way each player fits into Arthur Smith and Ryan Day’s offense makes this group fascinating.
Per Land-Grant Holy Land, the hierarchy entering fall camp is straightforward. The team does not need one superstar to carry the load. They need a room where every player knows their role. This approach gives the offense the tools to move the ball without relying on a single name. The loss of the veterans is real, but the plan to fill the void is clear.
Ohio State fans often wait for a big name to save the day. This time, the answer is a player who earned his spot through hard work and trust. The 2026 season will show if this depth chart can truly replace the production of the past. Roberts looks like the leader of this new group. The rest of the room just needs to stay healthy and do their jobs.
