Image 1: WR Carnell Tate (18) making a play as a ball carrier
Height: 6’3
Weight: 195
Position: WR
Year: Junior
Background
Image 2: WR Carnell Tate (18) running a route during his final year at IMG Academy
Born on January 19, 2005, Carnell Tate was a five-star WR prospect in the class of 2023 who initially played at Maurist High School in Chicago, Illinois. After two dominate seasons, Tate decided to transfer to IMG Academy as a junior to further develop as a player and improving his exposure. The decision paid off as Tate became one of the nation’s premier WR prospects and became the target of a major recruiting battle between Tennessee, Notre Dame, and Ohio State. Ultimately, Tate decided to commit to Ohio State to receive coaching from WR guru Brian Hartline.
As a Buckeye, Tate saw limited production as a freshman due to being buried on the depth chart behind Ohio State’s experienced upperclassman and wide receivers Emeka Egbuka and Marvin Harrison Jr. Though the following season’s spotlight was on Jeremiah Smith and Ohio State’s National Championship, Carnell Tate emerged as a great WR3 who has the talent to be a program’s WR1. Despite rumors of a potential transfer in search of a bigger role, Tate stayed in Columbus for his junior season, where he has proven that he is one of the best WRs in the NCAA.
Athletic Tools
A long, fluid player, Tate immediately stands out as a natural field stretcher. While he lacks elite speed, Tate is a constant big-play threat as he utilizes his acceleration, stride length, and deep speed to eat up the cushion of off-coverage defenders or stack corners playing tighter coverage. Beyond his ability as a deep threat, Tate is one of the premier contested-catch targets in the class. Whether in the red zone or playing against athletic corners who can recover downfield, Tate uses his great length and body control to highpoint passes and secure difficult catches.
Video 1: WR Carnell Tate (18) uses his speed to force CB Tank Pearson (7) to open his hips early, allowing Tate to gain separation on the post and score a touchdown
Video 2: WR Carnell Tate (18) uses his speed and acceleration to eat up the cushion from CB Blake Davis (1) and make an impressive catch down the field
Video 3: WR Carnell Tate (18) uses his frame and body control to high point the ball for the touchdown against CB Tyrell Raby (5)
Though very effective at it, Tate is more just a deep threat who can make difficult catches. With quick deceleration ability, Tate is highly effective at running comebacks, curls, and hitches. With some schemes relying on softer coverages to prevent explosive plays, Tate can get easy yardage underneath the coverage or when settling in soft spots. Beyond his receiving ability, Tate is a dynamic playmaker after the catch and a capable blocker. As a ball carrier, Tate’s acceleration, vision, and quickness enables him to create explosive both on designed targets and RAC opportunities. As a blocker, Tate lacks the high-end size or strength of a premier skill position blockers, but he has enough length and size to be playable in play designs that call for him to seal off DBs.
Video 4: WR Carnell Tate (18) sinking his hips to throttle down when running the comeback and then boxing out CB Malik Muhammad (5) for the catch
Video 5: WR Carnell Tate (18) using his acceleration and fluidity to generate an explosive play when catching the bubble screen from QB Julian Sayin (10)
Video 6: WR Carnell Tate (18) lands both of his strikes inside the landmarks and seals the defender off to help generate an explosive play for WR Brandon Inniss (1)
Technicals
From a technical standpoint, Tate still needs refinement. In terms of what he does well, Tate is effective at getting off the line. With varied releases and a quick first step, Tate able to get off press against NFL-caliber DBs. Beyond his releases, Tate has great ball skills and zone IQ. Tate constantly attacks the ball in the air while rarely having concentration drops. Combined with his frame and contested catch prowess, Tate projects as an incredibly reliable receiver. With solid feel locating and settling in soft spots, Tate does a great job of creating easy throwing windows for his QB.
Video 7: WR Carnell Tate (18) releases off the line, uses his speed to stack the corner, and hauls in the underthrown pass from QB Julian Sayin (10)
Video 8: WR Carnell Tate (18) runs a curl, settles in the soft spot in the zone coverage, and secures the ball outside his frame to create an easy throw for QB Julian Sayin (10)
Though there is a lot to love about him, Tate needs major development as a route runner. Tate is effective on stop and vertical concepts, but he is poor at running any in-breaking and out-breaking concept. By lacking salesmanships and rounds his breaks, Tate is easy to read, which gives an advantage to defenders. Though Tate does get away with being unrefined with his ball skills and athleticism, defenders have been able to make plays by knowing when Tate is breaking inside/outside. In a league where digs, slants, and crossing routes are staples of modern offenses, Tate is going to improve a lot on these concepts to reach his potential. Lastly, effort is difficult to access without interviewing coaches and watching practices, but Tate has several moments on tape where display poor motor and effort on hustle opportunities.
Video 9: WR Carnell Tate (18) runs the in route but fails to sell any deep concept at the stem, but he is still able to box out CB Tank Pearson (7) for the completion
Video 10: WR Carnell Tate (18) rounds off his break on the out route in the end zone which lets CB Tyrell Raby (5) undercut his route for the interception
Draft Projection
Carnell Tate currently has a first round grade. Though he needs to play with more effort and improve as a route runner, Tate’s contested catch, field stretching, and YAC/RAC ability is going to make him a valuable asset on the field. Tate may not have the refinement necessary to take on the role as a number one option currently, but I believe he has the size and athleticism needed to develop into a true WR1.
Athletic Testing
Will be updated after the NFL Combine/Ohio State Pro Day
Pro Comparison
Image 3: WR George Pickens (3) during his 2025 season with the Dallas Cowboys
Both taller, slender receivers with impressive contested catch and field stretching ability, Carnell Tate and George Pickens are very similar players. With long strides and effective release packages, Pickens and Tate are big deep threats that win vertically despite not having elite speed. Additionally, both are effective of generating explosive plays after the catch due to their vision, acceleration, and quickness. While he was relegated to a limited role and route tree in Pittsburgh, Pickens has broken out as a complete WR as he has seen greater opportunity and a bigger role in Dallas. If he is able to develop his route running and play with more effort, Tate can follow a similar career path and develop into a true WR1 like Pickens.
Date Published: 10/05/2025
Date Last Updated: 10/05/2025