Ohio State Buckeyes star wide receiver declares for the 2026 NFL Draft
It is official, Ohio State's star wide receiver Carnell Tate has declared for the 2026 NFL Draft. Tate took his time, waited his turn, and proved to the Buckeyes and to the NFL that he has the potential to be the next great one that has come from Ohio State.
It didn't take long for Tate to begin making an impact. As a true freshman in 2023, Tate hauled in 18 catches for north of 200 yards and just one touchdown. That freshman season was proof that he had what it took to be competitive in the Buckeyes' wide receiver room.
Then, in his Sophomore season, he came on in a very crowded room that featured Jeremiah Smith and Emeka Egbuka. He was never the first option, he was hardly the second option, and even with that, he hauled in 52 catches for 733 yards and four touchdowns. His biggest game for the Buckeyes on their way to the National Championship came in the Semifinal against the Texas Longhorns. He grabbed seven catches for 87 important yards.
Finally, in his final year, he showed America that, yeah, he is that guy.
Several times this year, he played well enough for people to ask how close the distance between him and Jeremiah Smith actually is. In just 11 games, he had 51 catches for 875 yards and nine scores. He got the year going with an incredible, highlight real 40 yard touchdown against the Texas Longhorns to burst onto the scene.
He was amazing in his final year and had it not been for an injury, he would have definitely gone over 1,000 yards and 10 touchdowns.
That's no worry for the young star; he did more than enough to prove that he has what it takes to be a factor at the next level. Many scouts are projecting Tate to be a Top-15 pick with the ability to go as high as maybe fourth overall.
The way I see it, he won't get past six. If he is on the board while the Cleveland Browns are on the clock, they will not give up the chance to bring in the elite playmaker.
Tate's final career numbers are 121 catches, 1,872 yards, and 14 touchdowns. He is going to be forever remembered as one in the Ohio State wide receiver lineage. His name absolutely goes in the same breath as Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Garrett Wilson, Marvin Harrison Jr., Emeka Egbuka, and all of the others that have come before him.
He now will have his chance to make an impact at the next level.