EXCLUSIVE: OSU TE Admits Frustrations With Ryan Day at Senior Bowl Practice

Will Kacmarek entered Ohio State with little fanfare—a two-star recruit who landed his lone FBS offer thanks to a connection with defensive coordinator Ron Collins—and used that chance to become a trusted, physical presence as a blocking-tight end. In an exclusive interview on Day 2 of Senior Bowl practice, he candidly addressed lingering frustrations with limited playing time under Ryan Day, saying, “You know, I’ve definitely been frustrated at times. But I came to a point where I just had to play where the team needed me, and I took pride in that role.”

Pauline of EssentiallySports noted the crowded OSU offensive room, with stars like TreVeyon Henderson and Jeremiah Smith ahead of him. Transitioning from a Group of Five program to Columbus isn’t easy, but Kacmarek found a niche as a pass blocker and team-first contributor, proving his value in a high-stakes environment.

During OSU’s 2024 national championship pursuit, Kacmarek emerged as one of the Buckeyes’ more underrated players. He delivered at the point of attack in key moments—blocking Jordan Burch for Jeremiah Smith’s touchdown against Tennessee and handling top defensive ends in the playoff run. He logged the second-most snaps among tight ends in OSU’s final three games and added 28 receiving yards in the playoffs, underscoring his two-way impact.

In the 2025 season, Kacmarek was a primary blocker in Week 1 against Texas, logging 48 offensive snaps as OSU leaned on his technique and effort. The addition of transfer Max Klare didn’t push him aside; instead, he capitalized on his opportunity, helping to neutralize Texas edge rusher Colin Simmons and enabling Julian Sayin’s 40-yard TD pass to Carnell Tate. Ohio State tight ends coach Keenan Bailey praised him as “a tireless worker” who “changed the culture of our room,” noting his aggressive spring progression and the high level of effort he brought every snap.

Statistically, Kacmarek’s OSU career reflects a blend of blocking reliability and growing receiving production. Across two years with the Buckeyes, he totaled 254 receiving yards on 23 receptions. In 2024 alone, he accumulated 507 yards on 22 receptions with two touchdowns. Standing 6’6” and 258 pounds, he ran a 40-yard dash circa 4.78 seconds and allowed only two pressures on nearly 100 pass-blocking attempts—flashes that have kept him on the radar of NFL evaluators.

Looking ahead, Mel Kiper’s projections list Kacmarek as the 10th-ranked tight end in his NFL draft rankings, signaling mid-round potential for a player whose value in the run game and versatility in pass protection stands out. His multi-sport background, relentless work ethic, and the OSU development path—highlighted by coaches like Brian Metz and Keenan Bailey—support the belief that he can translate his hard-nosed approach to the pro level and carve out a meaningful role early in his NFL career.