Ohio State must replace two tight ends who were selected on the second day of the NFL Draft heading into the 2026 season. Yet, the Buckeyes feel good about their TE room.
Expected to emerge as the starter is sophomore Nate Roberts, who saw a lot of playing time behind Max Klare (second-round pick by the Los Angeles Rams) and Will Kacmarek (third-round pick by the Miami Dolphins) last season. The 6-foot-5, 250-pound Roberts caught four passes for 30 yards in 2025, and also saw a lot of time as a de facto fullback for OSU.
The native of Washington, Okla., was ranked as the No. 10 tight end in the country in the 2025 class, per the 247Sports Composite.
Also returning for the Buckeyes at tight end is fifth-year senior Bennett Christian. Furthermore, Ohio State brought in two veteran TEs from the transfer portal in Hunter Welcing (Northwestern) and Mason Williams (Ohio University).
That being said, Roberts is the leader in the clubhouse – proverbially speaking – to be TE1 for the Buckeyes this fall. Following a practice late in spring, he reacted to that notion.
"It's really exciting just knowing that this room is wide open and just trying to go and take that role," Roberts said. "Obviously, I want to come in here and be the No. 1 starter. I think that's what everyone wants to be here.
"If you come to Ohio State, that's what you want to be. So, that's been my goal all offseason. All last year, I was trying to work and help the team as much as I could. But this year, I'm trying to help the team even more and be that starting guy."