In any NFL Draft class, it’s always fun to predict which transfer prospects could take the league by storm. In recent years, stars like Jayden Daniels, Jared Verse, Jahmyr Gibbs, Caleb Williams, and Travis Hunter have turned portal moves into first-round gold.
In today’s NIL-driven era, major programs are leveraging their resources and visibility to pull standout talent from smaller schools. Power Four teams have combed the FBS ranks for rising stars, and now, several of those playmakers are set to showcase their skills on a bigger stage in 2025.
Let’s break down five transfer tight end prospects for the 2026 NFL Draft who appear especially poised to boost their stock in new surroundings.
Transfer TEs To Watch for the 2026 NFL Draft
Max Klare, Ohio State
The top transfer tight end entering the 2025 season might also be the best overall tight end in the 2026 NFL Draft. Max Klare finished eighth in tight end receiving yards with 685 in 2024, dominating as a redshirt sophomore at Purdue. Now, he looks to continue that success at Ohio State.
Klare stands out on tape for his athleticism and ball skills. He displays above-average quickness off the snap and excellent body control both in the air and over the middle. He expertly exploits soft spots in zone coverage and attacks leverage points against man-to-man looks. His effort in the run game is also encouraging, especially for a player transitioning into a more prominent role.
At 6’4″ and 240 pounds, Klare is slightly undersized for a tight end, which can impact his ability to set the edge as a blocker. That said, as a receiving threat, the upside is high. With another productive season, he could push his way into Round 1 of the 2026 NFL Draft.
Tanner Koziol, Houston
Tanner Koziol heads into 2025 as the most productive returning tight end in the FBS. At Ball State last season, he led the team with 94 receptions for 839 yards and eight touchdowns. Yet, despite attracting NFL Draft interest, Koziol chose to return to school for another year to further elevate his stock.
The 6’7″, 240-pound Koziol is a towering presence with a massive catch radius, making him a reliable weapon on 50/50 balls. His frame helps him box out defenders at the catch point and secure contested grabs, giving him real red-zone value at the next level.
Play of the Day No. 71: Ball State tight end Tanner Koziol, who recently committed to Houston, makes a one-handed touchdown catch deep in the red zone (Ball State vs. Northern Illinois, 2024). #POTD pic.twitter.com/WNUmqaeZVV
— Sam Teets (@Sam_Teets33) May 2, 2025
Koziol will need to improve his anchor in the run game, as he can be top-heavy when blocking in-line. His athleticism isn’t elite, but his size and ball skills alone should put him in early Day 3 consideration for the 2026 NFL Draft.
Jack Endries, Texas
After a strong run at California, Jack Endries heads to Texas for his redshirt junior season. He’ll be going from catching passes from Fernando Mendoza to Arch Manning, so the quality of quarterback play shouldn’t dip.
Endries enters 2025 as the ninth-best returning tight end per PFF, earning a 77.0 grade last season. He played a key role in Cal’s offense in 2024, posting 56 receptions for 623 yards and two touchdowns.
Deceptively fast, Endries is an explosive pass catcher who can get open downfield from both the slot and traditional in-line alignments. His fluid movement and vertical speed give him clear pass-catching upside.
To rise into the upper tier of the 2026 tight end class, Endries will need to improve his play strength and blocking technique. Still, his ability to stretch the field makes him a player to watch if he turns in another productive campaign.
Lance Mason, Wisconsin
Wisconsin lost out on Koziol before he ever took the field, but they landed a potential difference-maker in Lance Mason.
The top-graded FCS tight end in 2024, according to PFF, Mason caught 34 passes for 590 yards and six touchdowns at Missouri State. He brings reliable hands to Wisconsin, boasting a career drop rate of just 1.8%. He’s also a bursty, vertical threat who accelerates quickly off the line and can challenge defenses over the top.
MORE: Top Breakout TE Candidates for the 2026 NFL Draft
Mason led the MVFC with 17.4 yards per reception last season. He’ll need to show that he can maintain that level of play against higher-end competition, and his in-line blocking still needs polish. But if he adjusts well to the Power Four, Mason could quickly become a name to know in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Luke Hasz, Ole Miss
Luke Hasz made a splash in 2024 at Arkansas, catching 26 passes for 324 yards and four touchdowns as a sophomore. With Caden Prieskorn off to the NFL, Hasz now steps into a starting role at Ole Miss in 2025.
In his college career, Hasz has been targeted 48 times and hasn’t dropped a pass. He’s an explosive route runner who separates quickly out of his breaks and shows great coordination working across the field. He’s primarily operated as an in-line tight end but also brings mismatch potential in the slot.
Heading into 2025, Hasz remains untested in a true high-volume role. He’s on the smaller side for the position at 6’3″ and 240 pounds, and that’s shown up in his struggles as a run blocker, particularly when matched against edge rushers. Even so, his receiving ability makes him one of the top names to watch in the 2026 TE class.
