Former Purdue tight end Max Klare has committed to transfer to Ohio State, giving the Buckeyes a difference-maker at that position for 2025.

Klare caught 51 passes for 685 yards and four touchdowns this season for Purdue. He was the leading receiver in all three categories for the Boilermakers, who were winless in the Big Ten and fired coach Ryan Walters.

Klare finished sixth nationally in receiving yards among tight ends.

Klare was ranked the top available tight end in the NCAA transfer portal by ESPN and the No. 20 player overall. Texas, Michigan, Louisville and Texas A&M were reportedly other programs that pursued him.

Klare will have two years of eligibility remaining. The 6-4, 240-pounder is from Guilford, Indiana, near Cincinnati. He attended St. Xavier High School in Cincinnati.

More: Ohio State football lands CJ Donaldson Jr. from transfer portal. How West Virginia RB fits

He is the third transfer addition of the day for Ohio State, following West Virginia running back CJ Donaldson and Idaho State defensive end Logan George.

Why TE Max Klare picked Ohio State from transfer portal

Klare told ESPN that Ohio State’s status as an elite program and ability to develop him further were major reasons for his decision.

“Really, when it came down to making the decision, coach Day’s ability to develop players and send them off to the NFL, the development process was huge for me,” he told ESPN.

More: Facing Oregon rematch, Ohio State football coach Ryan Day focused on execution not revenge

“Just an opportunity to win a national championship and develop into a better player and play against the best competition, day-in and day-out (appealed to me), and being around a lot of like-minded individuals that are going to push me to be my best.”

How CFP fans (probably) reacted to the first round games

After the CFP first round, Before The Snap shares a sketch take on who made it to the quarterfinals.

How Max Klare will fit with Ohio State football’s roster

Klare is the front-runner to start for Ohio State next year. Starter Gee Scott Jr.’s eligibility expires, as does Will Kacmarek’s. Kacmarek is an Ohio University transfer who has been a significant role player.

The Buckeyes still have Jelani Thurman, a promising but inconsistent sophomore, and Bennett Christian, who’s more of a blocker.

Klare and Thurman could give the Buckeyes a strong receiving element from the tight end position that they lacked this year following Cade Stover’s graduation.

According to the Indianapolis Star, Klare accounted for almost 32% of Purdue’s pass plays that gained 10 or more yards.

Ohio State football transfer targets

The Buckeyes remain in the mix for Rice offensive tackle Ethan Onianwa, according to multiple reports.

When does transfer portal close?

The portal closes on Dec. 28 or five days following a team’s last postseason game.

Get more Ohio State football news by listening to our podcasts.

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Jack Sawyer ran from a postgame interview when he heard the opening notes of “Carmen Ohio” coming from the Ohio State band.

The local product didn’t want to miss a second of the postgame tradition.

Emeka Egbuka gazed at the Ohio Stadium seats as he slowly turned in a circle.

The senior receiver who always took his role in stride amid a collection of spectacular talent at the position wanted to take it all in one final time.

Donovan Jackson had his arms around fellow offensive linemen as they posed for a photo with Will Howard.

The once-highly-rated offensive tackle wanted to be part of a captured moment with those who helped him keep the quarterback upright despite brutal injury luck in the trenches.

Those were among the late-night moments inside Ohio Stadium on Saturday as members of the Buckeyes’ senior class celebrated a College Football Playoff first-round win against Tennessee.

A group once ranked among the best in the storied program’s history that hasn’t achieved many of its goal — capped by an ugly postgame scene following a Nov. 30 loss against Michigan — got a second chance to leave its home field on a better note.

They took advantage, dominating the Vols en route to a 28-point victory.

The first step in rewriting, or at least improving, a legacy was complete.

“It means everything to me,” Sawyer said. “When we saw we got another home game against a team like that coming in here, I knew it was going to be awesome.”

Ohio State’s seniors nearly left on an ugly note

Ohio State coach Ryan Day establishes the program’s standard with three goals each year: Beat Michigan, win the Big Ten and claim a national title.

When the 2021 recruiting class arrived, it was supposed to start a run of consistently reaching those accomplishments. So far, the Buckeyes’ senior class is 0-for-11 and the lasting memory was lined up to be an ugly one.

Before Sawyer was running to sing with teammates on Saturday, the final image of him at Ohio Stadium was one of anger and disappointment.

Ohio State was a heavy favorite against Michigan this year, suggesting a three-game skid in the rivalry would finally end.

Instead, the Wolverines pulled off the upset and tried planting a flag at midfield. It led to Sawyer and many of his teammates taking offense, sparking fights that saw law enforcement get involved.

Despite a stellar outing from Sawyer, including a spectacular interception, that was going to be the lasting image.

“I could’ve had a million sacks, but we lost the game,” Sawyer said Saturday. “That’s all that matters to me. Everything (about) the way the game ended motivated us to come into this week like this.”

The new College Football Playoff allows narratives to change

The Michigan loss would’ve been it for players such as Egbuka, Sawyer and Jackson last year. At 10-2, Ohio State’s season would’ve ended in a underwhelming bowl game after immense expectations.

The new 12-team College Football Playoff has brought change, allowing additional opportunities to shift narratives.

Perhaps no group in the country could benefit more than Ohio State’s seniors.

“I think it’s awesome,” Sawyer said. “The 12-team playoff, I think it’s great. It gives teams a chance that you wouldn’t have got a chance in years previous.”

There’s a cliché in baseball when a hitter is going through a slump. If they’re hitless in 11 consecutive at-bats, you tell yourself that they’re due.

Statistically, there’s no such thing. You’re likelihood to get a hit in that 12th at-bat is the same as any other, but the belief still exists that the longer the drought continues, the sooner it is to end.

Ohio State’s seniors are on at-bat No. 12: Winning a national title.

Maybe the win vs. Tennessee proved they’re due to change how they’re remembered.

“It is a new season,” Sawyer said. “It’s a new season every week. It’s win-or-go-home. It’s the NFL playoffs now. That’s been our mindset.”

The Ohio Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big. Here’s a look at Dec. 22, 2024, results for each game:

Pick 3

Drawings are held daily, seven days a week, at 12:29 p.m. and 7:29 p.m., except Saturday evening.

Midday: 1-5-0

Evening: 9-0-9

Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.

Pick 4

Drawings are held daily, seven days a week, at 12:29 p.m. and 7:29 p.m., except Saturday evening.

Midday: 4-6-7-5

Evening: 8-9-5-9

Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.

Pick 5

Drawings are held daily, seven days a week, at 12:29 p.m. and 7:29 p.m., except Saturday evening.

Midday: 6-8-2-3-8

Evening: 9-9-8-2-8

Check Pick 5 payouts and previous drawings here.

Rolling Cash 5

Drawings are held daily, seven days a week, at approximately 7:05 p.m.

06-26-27-36-37

Check Rolling Cash 5 payouts and previous drawings here.

Lucky For Life

Drawings are held daily, seven days a week, at approximately 10:35 p.m.

04-07-37-43-47, Lucky Ball: 08

Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results

Winning lottery numbers are sponsored by Jackpocket, the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network.

Where can you buy lottery tickets?

Tickets can be purchased in person at gas stations, convenience stores and grocery stores. Some airport terminals may also sell lottery tickets.

You can also order tickets online through Jackpocket, the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network, in these U.S. states and territories: Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Idaho, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Puerto Rico, Texas, Washington, D.C., and West Virginia. The Jackpocket app allows you to pick your lottery game and numbers, place your order, see your ticket and collect your winnings all using your phone or home computer.

Jackpocket is the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network. Gannett may earn revenue for audience referrals to Jackpocket services. GAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL 1-800-GAMBLER, Call 877-8-HOPENY/text HOPENY (467369) (NY). 18+ (19+ in NE, 21+ in AZ). Physically present where Jackpocket operates. Jackpocket is not affiliated with any State Lottery. Eligibility Restrictions apply. Void where prohibited. Terms: jackpocket.com/tos.

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