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WR Carnell Tate (All B1G, All American, National Champion)
- By ScriptOhio
- Buckeye Football
- 430 Replies
Ohio State's Carnell Tate has always been 'one of those dudes'
Tate's emergence began on a 7-on-7 team filled with future Ohio State teammates and other college standouts.
Ohio State WR Carnell Tate has always been 'one of those dudes'
Collin Hurst knows what it's like to be Ohio State's quarterback.
More than three years ago, Hurst quarterbacked the South Florida Express to the championship of a 7-on-7 tournament in Las Vegas, utilizing future Ohio State starting receivers Carnell Tate, Jeremiah Smith and Brandon Inniss.
"A quarterback's dream," said Hurst, now an FCS starting quarterback for Presbyterian. "Julian Sayin is an incredible quarterback. But having those three guys definitely helps."
Back then, Inniss was the go-to guy. Smith was a budding force. But Tate, a late addition to the loaded squad, proved to be the difference-maker when it mattered most. Trailing a Cam Newton-backed team quarterbacked by Oregon's Dante Moore, Hurst went to Tate for the winning touchdown in that Vegas title game, lofting a pass to the back of the end zone with less than a minute to play.
"Carnell is one of those dudes you could always trust," Hurst said. "One of the nicest people you'll ever talk to. But when he would get on the field, he just embarrassed guys. I knew no matter how far off the corner would play, Carnell would get a step on him eventually."
The Buckeyes are banking on Tate -- one of college football's breakout stars -- coming up big again as they chase back-to-back national titles, beginning with their playoff opener against Miami in the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic on New Year's Eve (7:30 p.m. ET, ESPN).
"I've put in the work throughout my years here, I've put in the patience," Tate said. "The game comes to those who work. It's finally my time."
The spotlight didn't come quickly for Tate. During his first two seasons in Columbus, he filled a supporting role on a team with future NFL first-round picks Marvin Harrison Jr. and Emeka Egbuka. Last year, Tate took a backseat to Smith, a freshman sensation. Tate accepted the dirty work, turning into a tenacious perimeter blocker as the others put up big stats and generated headlines.
"Does everything the coaches ask him to do," Smith said, "and he don't complain about it."
This season, Tate has emerged as a star opposite Smith.
Tate is averaging 83.8 receiving yards per game, ranking seventh among Power 4 players, and has nine touchdowns despite missing games late in the year with a lower-body injury. Four ESPN NFL draft analysts now list him as the No. 1 or No. 2 wide receiver available in the 2026 draft. The 6-foot-3, 215-pound Tate could very well extend Ohio State's streak with a receiver taken in the first round to five consecutive years.
"I always knew the talent he had and what he was capable of," Harrison said. "It comes down to opportunity -- and he's getting that now."
Brett Goetz, who founded the Fort Lauderdale-based South Florida Express nearly two decades ago, noticed Tate's work ethic immediately. Goetz wanted another receiver and asked his players whether they had any suggestions. Inniss had faced Tate in high school -- Tate had scored a touchdown in IMG Academy's win over Inniss' American Heritage in the 2021 opener -- and recommended him.
Hurst said Tate was "straight business. ... almost like a military dude," the first to arrive for breakfast or meetings.
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