Ohio State Buckeyes head coach Ryan Day and co-offensive coordinator/tight ends coach Keenan Bailey did quarterback Julian Sayin a massive favor in nabbing Northwestern Wildcats tight end Hunter Welcing in the transfer portal this past January.
As Land-Grant Holy Land's Cole Van Wiechen puts it, Sayin got an "extremely valuable" safety valve in Arthur Smith's heavy personnel-based offense when the pressure comes crashing down, and it hurts inside for the offense, with the addition of the 296-yard, two-touchdown TE.
"Short outlets, seam routes behind flowing linebackers, quick play-action throws, and chip-and-release patterns are all ways offenses punish aggressive defenses. Welcing’s experience in those situations is one of the most valuable aspects of his game," Van Wiechen wrote. "Because he has spent years playing against Big Ten defenses, he understands how to adjust routes on the fly and find space when the structure of a play begins to collapse. That ability allows quarterbacks to rely on him even when the pocket is not perfect.
"For a quarterback like Julian Sayin, who will face defensive lines determined to disrupt Ohio State’s passing attack, having a tight end who can function as a pressure release valve becomes extremely valuable."
Welcing isn't far off from where NFL draft-bound Max Klare was last season, lagging by only 152 yards. Klare had two touchdowns, and it's highly possible Van Wiechen surpasses that with Smith's game plan.
Welcing is looking for the kind of spotlight that could propel him to NFL draft consideration himself. He doesn't have Klare's athleticism, but is a stronger run blocker and is crisp and technical in his route-running. Welcing creates separation well in the passing game, showing proficiency across every facet of the offense.
Julian Sayin will mostly rely on Jeremiah Smith, Bo Jackson, and Co. in 2026
While we may see the tight end position featured in select big moments, the offense will still be predicated on Bo Jackson, Isaiah West, and the rest of the Buckeyes RB room, and what Sayin can accomplish with Jeremiah Smith, Chris Henry Jr., and Co.
The ultimate goal this season is to set up the big plays through the air with efficient, but powerful running between the tackles. One of the many backup plans is throwing checkdowns to tight ends, though they will find themselves in the aforementioned big plays every so often.
It'll be simple, smash mouth, pro-style football this fall in Columbus. Welcing won't be one of the main players, but when it's time to play the game, he'll be far from invisible.