Ohio State tight ends coach Keenan Bailey knew he was going out on a limb when he told Ryan Day in December 2023 that he thought Will Kacmarek was the best tight end in the transfer portal.
Kacmarek wasn’t even a full-time starter at Ohio University, and there’s typically a big talent disparity between the Buckeyes and the Bobcats. One of Ohio’s top players the previous season was Sam Wiglusz, a former Ohio State walk-on wide receiver who rarely played for the Buckeyes.
But Bailey felt Kacmarek was exactly what the Buckeyes needed as they looked for a tough, gritty and experienced tight end to help lead their room following the departure of Cade Stover.