Ohio State's Tight End Revolution: Get Ready for More Two and Three Tight End Sets in 2026!
It seems like Ohio State is doubling down on a powerful offensive strategy, and the signs are pointing towards a significant increase in the use of 12 and 13 personnel packages in the upcoming 2026 season. For those new to the lingo, this means the Buckeyes will be lining up with one running back and either two (12 personnel) or three (13 personnel) tight ends on the field. This isn't just a fleeting trend; it's a strategic shift that's been building.
In the 2025 season, Ohio State under head coach Ryan Day utilized these multi-tight end formations more than in any of the previous six years. This is a big deal because it signals a commitment to a physical, versatile offensive identity. Think about it: when you have extra blockers on the field, it creates a serious challenge for opposing defenses, especially in the run game. And if those tight ends also possess receiving skills, they become even more dangerous weapons in the passing game.
But here's where it gets interesting... While the Buckeyes have always had a strong offensive identity, the coaching changes and transfer portal additions for 2026 are solidifying this multi-tight end approach. It's not that they'll abandon their three-wide receiver sets, but these packages with multiple tight ends are clearly here to stay.
Let's look at the numbers from recent seasons to see this trend in action:
- 2025 Season: The Buckeyes' second-most utilized tight end, Max Klare, played a substantial 488 snaps, just shy of Will Kacmarek's 509 snaps. Bennett Christian, the third tight end, saw 255 snaps, with Nate Roberts and Jelani Thurman contributing 160 and 135 snaps respectively. This indicates a deep rotation and a clear intention to keep multiple tight ends involved.
- 2024 Season: Even with two more games played than in 2025, the snap counts were different. Will Kacmarek, as the No. 2 tight end, had 298 snaps, while Gee Scott Jr. led the group with 548. Bennett Christian and Jelani Thurman had 235 and 165 snaps, respectively. This shows a consistent use of multiple tight ends, even if the distribution was different.
- 2023 Season: Gee Scott Jr. was the primary second tight end with 350 snaps, and no other tight end played more than 49 snaps outside of him and starter Cade Stover. This highlights a significant increase in depth and utilization in subsequent years.
- 2022 Season: The snap counts for the second, third, and fourth tight ends were 286, 140, and 35 respectively, again showing a growing trend towards involving more tight ends.
Max Klare's performance in 2025, with 43 receptions for 448 yards and two touchdowns, is a testament to the potential of these players. While he might not have been utilized to his absolute fullest, these are impressive numbers for a tight end. The input of tight ends coach and co-offensive coordinator Keenan Bailey, along with the perceived depth at the position, clearly played a role in the increased use of 12 and 13 personnel.
And this is the part most people miss... The offseason moves have only amplified this strategy. Ohio State has brought in two key transfers to bolster the tight end room: Mason Williams from Ohio University and Hunter Welcing from Northwestern.
- Mason Williams is described as a blocking tight end, much like Will Kacmarek. He even played at the same previous college! Last year, Williams contributed 26 receptions for 276 yards and three touchdowns, but his 66.7 run-blocking grade from Pro Football Focus was particularly impressive, outperforming some starting offensive linemen. He also showed great pass-blocking ability, allowing only one pressure and no sacks.
- Hunter Welcing, after a long college career, earned a starting role and recorded 28 receptions for 296 yards and two touchdowns in 2025. While his run-blocking grade of 50.6 wasn't as high as Williams', his potential in the passing game is significant, especially considering Northwestern's offense was ranked 108th nationally in passing yards per game. He could be a hidden gem!
But the true receiving threat among the younger tight ends might be sophomore Nate Roberts. He already overtook Thurman as a freshman and was a highly-rated tight end prospect. He posted four receptions for 30 yards during the season and had a strong four-catch, 41-yard performance in the spring game. Bennett Christian, a redshirt senior, rounds out the quartet of talented tight ends. While he's had good moments as a blocker, consistency will be key for him in his final year.
Arthur of Destiny: The Mastermind Behind the Shift?
What further fuels the belief in more 12 and 13 personnel? The hiring of Arthur Smith as offensive coordinator. Smith is widely considered one of the NFL's foremost experts on these types of offensive groupings.
In 2025, as the offensive coordinator for the Pittsburgh Steelers, Smith utilized 12 or 13 personnel on 47.4% of plays. He balanced this with 11 personnel (three wide receivers) on 48.6% of plays. This shows his willingness to adapt and use different formations effectively.
Smith's creativity in the run game with these packages is well-known. However, analytics from 2025 show the Steelers performed best out of 11 personnel, with an expected points added (EPA) of 44.01, compared to -20.19 for 12 personnel and 5.89 for 13 personnel. In 2024, 11 personnel was also their most efficient with 8.22 EPA, followed by 12 personnel (0.21 EPA) and 13 personnel (-61.05 EPA). It's important to note that 12 and 13 personnel are generally more run-heavy, and EPA tends to favor passing plays. The Steelers ranked 25th in total offense in 2025, which might lead some to question the effectiveness of these formations. But here's the counterpoint: could Smith's NFL experience with these formations, combined with Ohio State's talent, create a different outcome at the college level?
Regardless of the Steelers' overall offensive ranking, the depth of schematic knowledge Smith brings from seven years coordinating at the NFL level is immense. History shows that coaches whose NFL tenures ended poorly can thrive as college coordinators, much like Matt Patricia and Chip Kelly did under Day. Day himself has found a balance between his receiver-heavy and multi-tight end packages, and it's highly probable that his new offensive coordinator will aim to maintain and enhance that balance.
The 12 and 13 personnel packages are undoubtedly a fixture for Ohio State in 2026. The Buckeyes finished 51st nationally in yards per carry (4.55) in 2025. The hope is that under Smith's guidance, with the infusion of new talent at tight end, these multi-tight end formations will lead to significantly better rushing results next year.
What are your thoughts on Ohio State's increased reliance on multi-tight end packages? Do you think Arthur Smith's NFL experience will translate into a dominant rushing attack, or do you believe their offensive efficiency might suffer? Let us know in the comments below!
