Caleb Houser
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Ohio State interested in transfer portal tight end; Running back target transfers elsewhere
Caleb Houser via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK
The Buckeyes look to be targeting another Ohio native in the portal.
Though the big game is only a day away, Ohio State has plenty of efforts being paid towards transfer portal recruiting, and Thursday was no different than the rest of the week. New names and new positions popping up, the Buckeyes are looking all over for talent to bring in for the 2025 roster, and that won’t stop any time soon.
Ohio State was able to add to their offensive line with the addition of transfer portal offensive tackle Phillip Daniels. A major win for the program towards the 2025 campaign, what makes the commitment of Daniels make so much sense is knowing his Ohio background — being from Cincinnati and having a recruitment process with the Buckeyes coming out of high school, even if an offer was never extended.
Like Daniels, the Buckeyes look to be interested in a recent portal entry by way of Purdue: Tight end Max Klare, who of course is another Cincinnati, Ohio native. A St. Xavier graduate, Klare is currently the No. 29 player in the portal and the top tight end per the 247Sports rankings, and it makes perfect sense for Ohio State to zero in on him now that he’s on the market.
Not a guarantee by any means, you have to like the chance the Buckeyes have with Klare given his ties to Ohio, but also the situation with the current tight end room, which does have talent, but is inexperienced to say the least.
Jelani Thurman being more of a receiving tight end than an in-line blocker is one example as to why this fit would be beneficial for both sides, but add in Ohio State’s pursuit last season of Ohio’s Will Kacmarek and this looks to be the same goal of making a push to bring in a player with not only plenty of starts under their belt, but someone who upgrades the room.
The main objective now would be getting Klare on campus following this weekend’s playoff game, and if that’s the case, this could be a real potential addition in the near future. The Buckeyes need to add more talent at this position, and Klare fits the billing.
Likely losing both TreVeyon Henderson and Quinshon Judkins to the NFL after this season, Ohio State has made it clear they want to look in the transfer portal to add depth to their running back room. Needing to add at least one body to take important carries in 2025, the Buckeyes immediately were linked to both USC transfer target Quinten Joyner and Alabama transfer Justice Haynes.
The chance to land one of the two is now slimmer after seeing Joyner choose Texas Tech on Thursday. The No. 71 player overall in the portal and the fifth ranked running back per 247Sports, Joyner did visit the Buckeyes, but losing out on his commitment means the staff is back to the drawing board.
Yet to land a visit with Haynes, Ohio State may be playing catch up to the likes of Ole Miss, South Carolina, and Michigan, but the coaching staff will continue to try and change that after being very involved in his original recruitment out of high school.
For now, Haynes is likely the top priority, but other backs such as Army transfer Kanye Udoh have also been contacted. Additional names may surface if Haynes does head elsewhere.
One of the best FCS players in the portal, Larry Johnson has interest here and that seems to be mutual. Certainly the priority is along the offensive line this offseason and first portal window, but defensive line is also an area that could use significant depth with all four starters up front gone after this season.
George may be the perfect depth piece, and if a visit goes well, the Buckeyes will have a real shot at making that happen.
Continue reading...
Caleb Houser via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK
The Buckeyes look to be targeting another Ohio native in the portal.
Though the big game is only a day away, Ohio State has plenty of efforts being paid towards transfer portal recruiting, and Thursday was no different than the rest of the week. New names and new positions popping up, the Buckeyes are looking all over for talent to bring in for the 2025 roster, and that won’t stop any time soon.
Ohio State looks to be honing in on transfer tight end
Ohio State was able to add to their offensive line with the addition of transfer portal offensive tackle Phillip Daniels. A major win for the program towards the 2025 campaign, what makes the commitment of Daniels make so much sense is knowing his Ohio background — being from Cincinnati and having a recruitment process with the Buckeyes coming out of high school, even if an offer was never extended.
Like Daniels, the Buckeyes look to be interested in a recent portal entry by way of Purdue: Tight end Max Klare, who of course is another Cincinnati, Ohio native. A St. Xavier graduate, Klare is currently the No. 29 player in the portal and the top tight end per the 247Sports rankings, and it makes perfect sense for Ohio State to zero in on him now that he’s on the market.
Not a guarantee by any means, you have to like the chance the Buckeyes have with Klare given his ties to Ohio, but also the situation with the current tight end room, which does have talent, but is inexperienced to say the least.
Jelani Thurman being more of a receiving tight end than an in-line blocker is one example as to why this fit would be beneficial for both sides, but add in Ohio State’s pursuit last season of Ohio’s Will Kacmarek and this looks to be the same goal of making a push to bring in a player with not only plenty of starts under their belt, but someone who upgrades the room.
The main objective now would be getting Klare on campus following this weekend’s playoff game, and if that’s the case, this could be a real potential addition in the near future. The Buckeyes need to add more talent at this position, and Klare fits the billing.
Running back options starting to slim down
Likely losing both TreVeyon Henderson and Quinshon Judkins to the NFL after this season, Ohio State has made it clear they want to look in the transfer portal to add depth to their running back room. Needing to add at least one body to take important carries in 2025, the Buckeyes immediately were linked to both USC transfer target Quinten Joyner and Alabama transfer Justice Haynes.
The chance to land one of the two is now slimmer after seeing Joyner choose Texas Tech on Thursday. The No. 71 player overall in the portal and the fifth ranked running back per 247Sports, Joyner did visit the Buckeyes, but losing out on his commitment means the staff is back to the drawing board.
Yet to land a visit with Haynes, Ohio State may be playing catch up to the likes of Ole Miss, South Carolina, and Michigan, but the coaching staff will continue to try and change that after being very involved in his original recruitment out of high school.
For now, Haynes is likely the top priority, but other backs such as Army transfer Kanye Udoh have also been contacted. Additional names may surface if Haynes does head elsewhere.
Quick Hits
- The Buckeyes also look to be setting up visit plans with Idaho State transfer, Logan George. A 6-foot-5, 260 pound defensive lineman, George comes from a smaller program, but has put up impressive numbers in his time with the Bengals, including 53 tackles and 5.5 sacks this past season.
One of the best FCS players in the portal, Larry Johnson has interest here and that seems to be mutual. Certainly the priority is along the offensive line this offseason and first portal window, but defensive line is also an area that could use significant depth with all four starters up front gone after this season.
George may be the perfect depth piece, and if a visit goes well, the Buckeyes will have a real shot at making that happen.
Continue reading...