Ohio Tight End Transfer Will Kacmarek Sheds Black Stripe After 11 Ohio State Practices

On Friday, the fourth-year tight end and Ohio University transfer shed his black stripe with the Buckeyes. He becomes the fifth transfer to add scarlet to his helmet this spring, following after safety Caleb Downs (Alabama), running back Quinshon Judkins (Ole Miss), quarterback Will Howard (Kansas State) and Seth McLaughlin (Alabama).

The TE room just got a BIG TARGET, welcome @WillKacmarek pic.twitter.com/7cGMoP6ivh

— Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) April 5, 2024

Before he transferred to Ohio State in December, Kacmarek played three years with the Bobcats, recording 42 receptions for 507 yards and two touchdowns. This past season, Kacmarek collected 22 receptions, 243 yards and both scores. He also received a 67.2 run-blocking grade and a 65.8 pass-blocking grade from Pro Football Focus.

Now that he’s in Columbus, Kacmarek will compete with four returners and two freshmen in Keenan Bailey’s position room, including Gee Scott Jr., Jelani Thurman, Patrick Gurd, Bennett Christian, Max LeBlanc and Damarion Witten. Scott, Gurd and Christian have all worked with Kacmarek during spring practices, while LeBlanc and Witten will arrive in Columbus in June as summer enrollees.

“He’s put his head down and worked,” Bailey said of Kacmarek last week. “I’m really pleased.”

In addition to being the fifth transfer to shed his black stripe, Kacmarek is the seventh Buckeye overall to participate in the program’s rite of passage, as Jeremiah Smith and walk-on Brennen Schramm also shed their black stripes on March 21.

Kacmarek was the first of two Buckeyes to have their black stripes removed Friday. He was joined by redshirt freshman defensive tackle Will Smith Jr.