Purdue Athletics
Name: Max Klare
Position: Tight End
Recruiting Rank: 3-Star Recruit
High School: Cincinnati St. Xavier (OH)
College: Began career at Purdue; transferred to Ohio State
Captain: N/A
Measurables
Height: 6’4
Weight: 240
40 Yard: 4.70
10 Yard: Unknown
Arm Length: Unknown
Hand Size: Unknown
Vertical: Unknown
3 Cone: Unknown
Broad Jump: Unknown
Bench: Unknown
Position Specific
Positives in Pass Game:
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Smooth and deceptive route runner with quick change-of-direction skills.
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Strong hands; consistently makes contested catches and secures the ball through contact.
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Excellent body control and balance at the catch point; adjusts well to off-target throws.
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Can create separation in short-to-intermediate areas and understands how to find soft spots in zones.
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Threat after the catch, showing determination and strength to pick up extra yards.
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Versatility to line up in-line, in the slot, or flexed out wide, giving offenses multiple looks.
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Red zone weapon with timing, positioning, and rebounding ability to win jump balls.
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Displays football intelligence from quarterback background, reading coverages and adjusting routes mid-play.
Negatives in Pass Game:
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Can occasionally tip off breaks with subtle tells; savvy defenders may read him.
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Still refining deception at the top of routes against higher-level competition.
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Average long speed—better in short-area quickness than vertical explosiveness.
Positives in Run Game:
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Willing blocker with the attitude to finish when technique lands correctly.
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Shows versatility to engage defenders from multiple alignments.
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Leverages his size and competitiveness to wall off linebackers and defensive backs when properly positioned.
Negatives in Run Game:
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Blocking technique is raw and inconsistent—pad level too high, hand placement wide.
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Needs added functional core/lower body strength to handle NFL-caliber edge defenders.
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Relies more on effort than technique; can get driven back or shed by stronger defenders.
The Wrap-up
Summary: Klare is a high-upside tight end prospect who emerged at Purdue as their leading receiver in 2024 before transferring to Ohio State. A natural pass-catcher with strong hands and fluid route-running, Klare projects as a dynamic receiving option at the next level. He thrives in the short-to-intermediate passing game and can work the seams. Due to his body control and ball skills he presents a consistent mismatch for linebackers and safeties. The main limiting factor is his blocking. While he flashes competitiveness, his high pad level and lack of consistent hand placement hinder him from being a reliable in-line option. Continued development at Ohio State will be key to showing scouts he can become a true three-down tight end.
Injury Concerns: He did suffer an ankle injury in 2023 at Purdue that limited him to five games. That’s the only notable issue so far, and he returned to have a strong breakout season in 2024.
Character/Off-Field Concerns: N/A
Projected Role: Receiving-focused tight end who can be flexed into multiple alignments. Early career usage likely as a situational pass-game weapon/red zone target while his blocking develops.
Strong Points:
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Polished route runner for size/position.
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Excellent hands and contested catch ability.
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Versatile alignments create matchup problems.
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High football IQ with background at multiple positions.
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Competitive and physical after the catch.
Weak Points:
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Blocking remains raw; pad level and strength need work.
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Limited vertical burst compared to elite athletes at the position.
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Durability must be monitored after prior ankle injury.
Exposures:
- Indiana State (2024)
- @ Illinois (2024)
- @ Michigan State (2024)
About the Author
Dalton Tinklenberg is the Founder and Media Director of The Scouting Depot, where he leads comprehensive coverage of college and professional football. He is an active member of some of the most respected organizations in sports journalism, including the Football Writers Association of America (FWAA), Pro Football Writers of America (PFWA), Maxwell Football Club, Online News Association (ONA), National Football Foundation (NFF), and the Associated Press Sports Editors (APSE).
Before launching The Scouting Depot, Dalton worked with Blue HQ Media, where he covered major sporting events such as the Indianapolis 500, the College Football Playoff, and the Pro Football Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony.
Through his professional affiliations and on-the-ground experience, Dalton combines deep knowledge of the game with recognized standards of storytelling, editorial excellence, and authenticity in sports coverage.
