Max Klare

NFL Draft Profile: Max Klare

Position: Tight End | School: Ohio State (via Purdue) | Class: Redshirt Junior

Height: 6'5" | Weight: 243 lbs | Archetype: Receiving / Hybrid

College Career Summary

Max Klare’s trajectory is a story of rapid physical development and technical refinement. After arriving at Purdue as an undersized 215-pound prospect, he transformed into one of the Big Ten's most reliable receiving threats. Following a breakout 2024 at Purdue where he earned Third-Team All-Big Ten honors (51 rec, 685 yards), he transferred to Ohio State for the 2025 season.

In 2025, Klare operated in a star-studded Buckeye offense. While his raw volume dipped due to the presence of elite WRs, his efficiency and "clutch" reliability remained high. He finished the season as a key chain-mover and improved his functional strength significantly. Across his career, he has proven to be a "pro's pro" with a high floor as a versatile "U" tight end.

Career Stats Highlights

• Total Receptions: 116 | Total Receiving Yards: 1,329 | TDs: 6

• 2025 Stats: 43 Rec, 448 Yds, 2 TD

• Efficiency: High "contested catch" success rate (over 70% in 2024/2025).

• Drops: Very sure-handed; only 2 drops recorded across the entire 2025 season.

2025 Game-by-Game Grades

Week	Opponent	Stats (Rec/Yds/TD)	Grade	Scout's Notes
1	vs Texas	1 / 11 / 0	B-	Low volume in a defensive battle; focused on pass protection.
3	vs Ohio	2 / 30 / 1	B+	Secured his first Buckeye TD; showed elite red-zone concentration.
4	@ Washington	2 / 26 / 0	B	Reliable check-down option; high-effort run blocking.
5	vs Minnesota	5 / 63 / 0	A-	The Apex. Dominant in the middle of the field; forced two missed tackles.
7	@ Wisconsin	5 / 29 / 0	C+	Worst Game. Productive as a receiver, but struggled with missed blocks.
10	@ Purdue	5 / 59 / 0	A-	Emotional return to West Lafayette; moved the chains effectively.
12	vs Rutgers	7 / 105 / 1	A+	Masterclass. First career 100-yard game as a Buckeye.
13	@ Michigan	3 / 20 / 0	B+	Gritty performance in "The Game"; vital in short-yardage blocking.
14	vs Indiana*	2 / 28 / 0	B	(Big Ten Title) Battled tight coverage; reliable in limited chances.

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Scouting Grade Rubric

Intangibles (.20) — Grade: 94/100

• Leadership: Respected veteran transfer; led by example in a crowded OSU room.

• Mental Toughness: Recovered from a 2023 injury to post back-to-back productive years.

• Competitor: High. Plays with a "blue-collar" chip on his shoulder.

• Team Player: Accepted a complementary role at OSU to help the team win.

• Star Power: High reliability; he is the "security blanket" every NFL QB wants.

Physical Tools (.20) — Grade: 87/100

• Height/Weight: 6'5", 243 lbs. (Exceeds height, slightly under weight benchmark).

• Stamina: High; maintains route speed late into the fourth quarter.

• Durability: Played all 13 games in 2025; much-improved frame since 2022.

• Injury History: Redshirted in 2022; season-ending injury in 2023. Medically clean since.

Attributes (.20) — Grade: 92/100

• Catching: Elite. Vacuum hands; rarely lets the ball get to his chest.

• Route Running: Nuanced; understands leverage and how to settle in zone windows.

• Strength: Good functional strength, though can still add mass to his lower half.

• Blocking: Solid Effort. Much improved in 2025; uses his 6'5" frame to shield effectively.

• Release: Efficient; uses a "lacrosse-style" footwork to bypass jams.

Athleticism (.20) — Grade: 89/100

• Speed: 4.65 (Estimated). Good build-up speed; a legitimate seam threat.

• Agility: Fluid; can sink his hips and change direction well for a tall player.

• Jumping: Very good; uses his length to "box out" and high-point the ball.

• Acceleration: Solid burst off the line of scrimmage.

• Break Tackle: More of a "finesse" runner; relies on angles rather than pure power.

IQ (.20) — Grade: 96/100

• Awareness: Elite. High football IQ; almost always makes the right read on choice routes.

NFL Scouting Report

• Strengths: Protypical NFL size and length; exceptional hands and catch radius; nuanced route runner who finds the soft spot in any zone; high-effort blocker with "move" versatility; experience in high-octane offenses.

• Weaknesses: Lacks the "elite" twitch of smaller move-TEs; needs to continue adding play-weight to handle NFL defensive ends; blocking is technically sound but lacks "mauler" power.

• Scheme Fit: Ideal "U" Tight End in a West Coast or 12-Personnel heavy system (e.g., Lions, Chiefs, Packers).

• NFL Comparison: Dawson Knox / Sam LaPorta (playstyle).

Scout's Final Word

"Max Klare is the type of player who makes an NFL offensive coordinator’s life easy. He isn't a physical freak, but he is a technical master with some of the best hands in the draft. His improvement as a blocker at Ohio State shows his ceiling is higher than just a 'receiving' tight end. He is a ready-made starter who will be a 10-year pro. Draft Projection: Round 2–3."