A blocking-first tight end who won a national title at Ohio State after three seasons at Ohio University, Will Kacmarek joins Miami as a third-round pick.
Will Kacmarek is a physical, in-line tight end whose reputation as one of the best blockers at the position in college football helped him land in the third round of the 2026 NFL Draft. The St. Louis native transferred from Ohio University to Ohio State, where he was part of a national championship team, before the Dolphins drafted him to fill a need at tight end.
Path to the league
Kacmarek, a two-star recruit out of Mary Institute and St. Louis Country Day School, redshirted his first year at Ohio University in 2021 before appearing in 27 games over the next two seasons. He transferred to Ohio State for the 2024 season and returned for 2025 rather than enter the draft early. Miami selected him with the 87th overall pick in the third round of the 2026 NFL Draft, a selection acquired in the trade sending linebacker Jaelan Phillips to Philadelphia.
Career highlights
At Ohio University, Kacmarek caught 42 passes for 507 yards and 2 touchdowns across two seasons of extended action. He then won a national championship with Ohio State in 2024, and his Buckeyes tight ends coach Keenan Bailey called him the best blocking tight end in the country. His draft profile in Miami centers on that blocking ability as he competes for snaps behind Greg Dulcich and alongside veteran Ben Sims.
2025 season recap
In his final season at Ohio State in 2025, Kacmarek caught 15 passes for 168 yards and 2 touchdowns over 10 starts, an improvement from his first season with the Buckeyes. His blocking continued to be his calling card, and the Dolphins drafted him in the third round in part to address depth at tight end after losing Julian Hill and Darren Waller.
Sources
- Wikipedia: Will Kacmarek
- Miami Dolphins: Fast Facts - Will Kacmarek
Player Profile
Background
- Position
- Tight End
- Group
- offense
- College
- Ohio State
- Hometown
- St. Louis, MO, USA
- Age
- 23
- Status
- active
