Will Kacmarek will be back at Ohio State for a second year with the Buckeyes in 2025.
The Ohio State tight end confirmed to Eleven Warriors on Monday that he plans to stay with the Buckeyes for his fifth year of eligibility. While Kacmarek is listed as a senior on Ohio State’s roster, he still has another season to play because he redshirted as a freshman in 2021.
Kacmarek says he hopes to play a bigger role in the passing offense next season as he has caught only six passes for 65 yards for the Buckeyes this year.
“I'd like to obviously get more involved in the pass game,” Kacmarek told Eleven Warriors at Rose Bowl media day. “I had that hiccup midseason that wasn't too fortunate for kind of my development there, but just really looking forward to stepping into that role next year and kind of help lead the offense.”
A transfer from Ohio University, Kacmarek has played in nine games for the Buckeyes this season, missing four games after suffering an upper-body injury in the Buckeyes’ regular-season game against Oregon. While he hasn’t been targeted much through the air – his longest catch of the year, a 32-yard grab, came on the same play on which he suffered his injury – he’s been the Buckeyes’ most consistent blocking tight end, playing 187 total snaps on the year.
Kacmarek is excited to have the opportunity to play Oregon again on Wednesday and play in the Rose Bowl for the first time after playing only in smaller bowl games during his three years with the Bobcats.
“It's a dream come true,“ Kacmarek said. “I got to go to other bowl games in the past that were really cool, but this one's just another level.”
Looking ahead to next year, Kacmarek is excited about the opportunity to share the tight end room with Purdue transfer Max Klare, who officially signed with the Buckeyes last week after catching 51 passes for 685 yards and four touchdowns for the Boilermakers this season.
“It’s going to be awesome,” Kacmarek said. “We’re going to need tight ends next year. We’re going to need as many bodies as we can. It’s a physical position. I’m looking forward to meeting him. I’ve heard he’s a great guy.”
Ohio State is set to lose its starting tight end from this year, Gee Scott Jr., as well as fellow senior Patrick Gurd. Other returning tight ends alongside Kacmarek for 2025 will include Jelani Thurman, Bennett Christian and Max LeBlanc, while Ohio State is also set to add two freshmen for next season in Nate Roberts and Brody Lennon.
