The No. 1 Ohio State enters West Lafayette on Saturday brimming with confidence after a crushing victory over Penn State. With a Heisman-caliber quarterback, a gritty defense, and outstanding receivers, the Buckeyes have it all. Meanwhile, Purdue is 2-7 and looks desperately worried about ending a seven-game losing streak. And in between all the Buckeye dominance, the spotlight is on TE Max Klare, who shares a deep-rooted history with Purdue.

Max Klare lining up in Ohio State colors on Saturday will be a full-circle moment. After making headlines in Purdue’s offense for three years, Klare transferred to the Buckeyes last December. Ahead of the game, the TE took questions from the press. A reporter asked him, “You spent three seasons at Purdue. What will be like to face your former team on Saturday?”

“Yeah, it’ll be fun. It’s gonna be unique,” Klare said with a smile. “The family’s really excited to get back up there, and a lot of people are going to be in attendance. So it’s gonna be a good time.”

But the family twist is what really makes things interesting. Luke Klare, Max’s younger brother, has been “playing” Max on the scout team this week. Luke is presently a tight end at Purdue. When asked if he had talked to his younger brother about the game this week, Max laughed it off first.

“Yeah, I’ve called him a few times… Yeah. I have. I’ve called him a few times. You know, it’s just really funny because he’s actually playing me on scout team, is he really? So that’s kind of unique too. I don’t know how many times that’s happened. So yeah, we’ve been in contact,” he said.

The 2024 season was Max Klare’s breakout at Purdue. He managed 685 receiving yards on 51 receptions, including four touchdowns. His production has been limited at Ohio State, considering the Buckeyes have Jeremiah Smith and Carnell Tate. Even then, Klare has come good whenever Julian Sayin has thrown in his direction.

Coach Ryan Day believes that Max is “starting to take off now” and that his greatest football “is still ahead of him.” And Klare seems to be pretty focused too. “The ranking’s exciting, but it doesn’t mean much. Have to keep working,” he said about OSU’s No. 1 spot in the CFP poll.

Meanwhile, Purdue HC seems to have his own perspective on Max’s journey.

Barry Odom reflects on Max Klare’s transfer

Barry Odom, the HC of Purdue, was also asked about whether he talked to Max Klare when he joined the program last December.

“I met with the team first when I got here. It was limited numbers in the team meeting, and then I had a meeting after that team meeting with a group of guys, who I think had already entered their names in the portal at that point. I believe Max was in there. I don’t know if he was in that meeting, but we had a conversation, and I tried to keep them all. But there was a certain point that they had already made up their mind,” Odom said.

While the loss stung, Odom’s tone was more reflective. “I’m happy for him that he continues to find success. The window of being a college football player is so short. If guys decide to go to a different school, I wish them the best.”

It’s a coach’s reminder that college football is as much about opportunity as it is loyalty. So far, Klare has caught 21 passes for 210 yards and a score in his debut season with the Buckeyes. That breakout moment is yet to come for Max Klare, and maybe Week 11 is the game in a familiar setting.