2026 NFL Draft Scouting Report: TE Max Klare, Ohio State

Name: Max Klare

Position: Tight End

School: Ohio State University

Height/Weight: 6’5”, 243 lbs

Class: Redshirt Junior (2025 season)

Hometown: Guilford, IN

High School: St. Xavier High School

Recruiting Rank: 3-star recruit (247Sports)

Draft Projections (as of February 2026):

• ESPN (Mel Kiper Big Board, updated February 2026) → TE3

• Pro Football Network (PFSN Big Board, February 2026) → TE3

• PFF (Big Board, updated February 2026) → TE2, No. 48 overall

• NFL.com (prospect profile) → Mid-round projection, versatile move TE

• NFL Draft Buzz (profile) → TE2, mid-round

• Consensus (NFL Mock Draft Database, February 2026) → TE2-3, ~60 overall (Expected: 2nd round, range 2nd-3rd)

Career Background

A three-star recruit from St. Xavier High School in Cincinnati, Klare began his career at Purdue, redshirting in 2022 and seeing limited action in 2023 before an ankle injury ended his season. He broke out in 2024 with 51 receptions for 685 yards and 4 TDs as the Boilermakers’ leading receiver. He transferred to Ohio State in December 2024 and started 11 games in 2025, posting 43 receptions for 448 yards and 2 TDs in a loaded offense. He declared for the 2026 NFL Draft in January 2026 after a strong Senior Bowl performance.

Career Stats

• 2022 (Freshman, Purdue) → Limited action

• 2023 (Sophomore, Purdue) → Limited action (injury-shortened)

• 2024 (Junior, Purdue) → 51 rec / 685 yds / 4 TDs

• 2025 (RS Junior, Ohio State) → 43 rec / 448 yds / 2 TDs

• Career Totals (4 Seasons) → 116 rec / 1,329 yds / 6 TDs

Advanced Stats (2025):

• PFF Overall Offensive Grade → 69.3 (mid-tier among qualified TEs)

• PFF Receiving Grade → 66.5

• Snaps Wide 13.4%/SLOT 40.1%

• Yards After Catch → 224 (5.2 per reception / ~50% of total yardage)

• Missed Tackles Forced → 5 (0.12/rec)

• Contested Catch → 4/6 (66.7%)

• Drops → 2 (4.4%)

• QB RTG → 97.6 (mid-tier among qualified TEs)

• Inline Rate → 46.5% (178 snaps) / Slot Heavy Usage (40.1%, 154 snaps) / Wide 13.4% (51 snaps)

Awards and Accolades

High School:

• All-State honors

• 3-star recruit

College:

• Mackey Award Watch List (2025)

• Key contributor on Ohio State’s playoff team (2025)

• Senior Bowl standout (2026)

Character and Leadership

Klare is praised by coaches for his work ethic and competitiveness, with Ohio State head coach Ryan Day noting his quick integration and leadership in the tight end room. Teammates highlight his humility and relentless preparation, especially after transferring and adapting to a new system. No arrests, legal issues, suspensions, or off-field red flags reported across ESPN, local media, police records, or draft sources. He is viewed as a positive locker-room presence and dedicated professional-in-the-making.

Injuries

Klare suffered a season-ending ankle injury in 2023 at Purdue that limited his development. He fully recovered by 2024 and played all games. In 2025 at Ohio State, he was fully healthy and started 11 games without reported absences. Scouts see no chronic issues, with full medical clearance expected at the Combine.

Play Style

Klare is a versatile move tight end who lines up inline, slot, and out wide. He wins with length, body control, and ball skills, creating mismatches against linebackers and safeties. He’s a reliable receiver with YAC ability and shows upside as a blocker in space. Fits modern spread offenses that use TEs as chess pieces; comps include Evan Engram (athleticism and route nuance) with shades of Isaiah Likely (YAC threat).

Strengths

1.  Athleticism & Length — Rare arm length and fluidity for the position; creates mismatches.

2.  YAC Ability — Vision and power after the catch turn short throws into big gains.

3.  Route Nuance — Sharp stems and adjustments; wins at the top of routes.

4.  Ball Skills — Natural hands catcher; extends and finishes outside frame.

5.  Positional Versatility — Lines up everywhere; forces defensive adjustments.

Weaknesses

1.  Blocking Refinement — Effective in space but needs work anchoring vs. bigger defenders.

2.  Consistency in Traffic — Can improve contested-catch rate under pressure.

3.  Release vs Press — Needs quicker feet to beat tight man coverage.

4.  Injury History — Ankle setback early; monitor durability.

5.  Scheme Fit — Best as move TE; less proven as traditional inline.

Final Evaluation

Max Klare is a high-upside move tight end in the 2026 class, blending athleticism, route savvy, and YAC ability into a mismatch weapon. Cross-referencing PFF, PFN, ESPN, NFL.com, and The 33rd Team shows consensus on his length and explosiveness as separators, with blocking refinement unlocking more. In modern NFL offenses that deploy TEs as chess pieces (think Engram/Likely hybrids), Klare projects as a Day 2 starter who contributes immediately in sub-packages. He carries mid-to-late second-round value and could climb into the top 50 with a strong Combine.

Sources

• ESPN (Mel Kiper Big Board, prospect profiles)

• PFF (2025 grades from your CSV export, receiving analysis)

• Pro Football Network (Big Board, scouting reports)

• NFL.com (prospect profile, Lance Zierlein)

• NFL Draft Buzz (full profile)

• Ohio State Athletics / Sports-Reference (bio, stats, accolades)

• The 33rd Team / Daft on Draft / A to Z Sports (detailed scouting reports)

• Local media (Eleven Warriors, Buckeyes Wire) for character and injury context