Ohio State’s tight end room isn’t about one star, it’s about roles

COLUMBUS, OHIO - NOVEMBER 22: Tight end Nate Roberts #83 of the Ohio State Buckeyes seen in action during the game against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at Ohio Stadium on November 22, 2025 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Mowry/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Ohio State’s tight end room looks completely different entering 2026, but that doesn’t mean the position is any weaker. In fact, there is a strong argument that it is deeper than it has been in years.

Gone are Max Klare, Will Kacmarek, and Jelani Thurman. Together, they accounted for virtually every meaningful snap at tight end over the last two seasons. Replacing that experience was never going to come from one player.

Instead, Ryan Day attacked the position by assembling a room where every player has a defined role, and together, they may give the Buckeyes more flexibility than they’ve had in a long time.

The hierarchy entering fall camp appears fairly straightforward. Nate Roberts projects as the clear TE1. Mason Williams looks like the favorite for TE2. Behind them, Hunter Welcing and Bennett Christian are battling for rotational snaps, while Maxence LeBlanc and Brody Lennon continue developing as future contributors.

The names may not yet carry the same national recognition as previous Ohio State tight end rooms, but the fit of each player within Arthur Smith and Ryan Day’s offense makes this group one of the more fascinating position battles on the roster.

Nate Roberts is ready to become the complete tight end

Everything starts with Roberts. The former four-star recruit arrived in Columbus as one of the premier tight ends in the 2025 recruiting class, bringing an uncommon blend of size, athleticism and receiving ability. At 6-foot-5 and 240 pounds, Roberts looked like a future starter from the moment he stepped on campus.

What accelerated his development, however, wasn’t just his athletic ability. It was the trust the coaching staff placed in him almost immediately.

"A guy I'm buying stock in that no one's really going to talk about as much is Nate Roberts." Jake Butt discusses the @OhioStateFB TE 👇 #B1GToday x @Jbooty88 pic.twitter.com/XtchxBgDt8

— Ohio State on BTN (@OhioStateOnBTN) April 14, 2026

As a true freshman, Roberts appeared in every game, catching four passes for 30 yards while also carrying the football twice and playing in multiple personnel packages. More importantly, Ohio State was comfortable asking him to line up in-line, motion across the formation, split out wide and contribute as a blocker, or even line up as an H-Back.

Freshman tight ends rarely receive that level of responsibility unless coaches believe they can eventually become every down players.

Now that opportunity has arrived. Roberts is expected to replace much of Klare’s receiving production while also taking on many of the blocking responsibilities that previously belonged to Kacmarek. That is an enormous assignment, but his skill set suggests he is uniquely equipped to handle it.

As a receiver, Roberts runs exceptionally well for his size. He attacks the middle of the field, creates mismatches against linebackers and safeties, and has the body control to win contested catches. He also has enough athleticism to stretch the seam vertically, something that should become increasingly important with Julian Sayin entering his second season as the starting quarterback.

The biggest area of growth remains his blocking, but every indication throughout spring and summer has been that Roberts has added strength while refining his technique. If that improvement continues, Ohio State won’t simply have a new starting tight end. They could have one of the most complete tight ends in the entire Big Ten.

Mason Williams may play almost as much as the starter

While Roberts provides the versatility, Williams provides the physicality. The Ohio transfer enters Columbus after developing into one of the MAC’s most dependable all-around tight ends. During the 2025 season, he caught 26 passes for 276 yards and three touchdowns, but those numbers only scratch the surface of why Ohio State wanted him.

Williams built his reputation as one of the better blocking tight ends available in the transfer portal. Standing 6-foot-4 and 247 pounds, he excels at sealing the edge, climbing to linebackers, pass protecting and handling defensive ends one-on-one.

Those traits make him a natural replacement for much of the work Kacmarek handled over the last two seasons.

Calling Williams the backup though almost undersells his expected impact. Ohio State consistently uses multiple tight end formations, particularly in short-yardage situations, goal-line packages and play-action concepts. Williams will almost certainly be on the field during many of those snaps, and there are weeks where his snap count could rival Roberts’.

His presence also allows Roberts to remain fresh while giving Arthur Smith the flexibility to disguise formations. Defenses won’t be able to assume run simply because Williams enters the game, nor pass because Roberts is on the field. Having two trustworthy tight ends dramatically expands the playbook.

The battle for TE3 could be one of fall camp’s most interesting competitions

The most intriguing competition in the room begins behind the top two. Hunter Welcing enters his seventh college football season after transferring from Northwestern, bringing perhaps the most experience of anyone in the room. After battling injuries earlier in his career, Welcing broke through in 2025 with 28 receptions for 296 yards and two touchdowns while earning honorable mention All-Big Ten recognition.

His value comes through polish. Welcing understands leverage, finds soft spots in zone coverage and consistently works himself open underneath. While he isn’t the explosive athlete Roberts is, he may currently be the most refined route runner among Ohio State’s tight ends.

The biggest question revolves around his blocking. If he proves capable of h...

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