Carnell Tate
Tennessee TitansOVERPAIDOur College Grade
How good he was in college at what his position is supposed to do, out of 100. Scored against everyone else at his position, adjusted for the level he played at. This is not his NFL grade.
College Production
Ohio State · Big Ten
| Season | G | Tgt | Rec | Yds | TD | Pos Rk |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 11 | 27 | 18 | 264 | 1 | |
| 2024 | 15 | 62 | 51 | 714 | 3 | 167 |
| 2025 | 11 | 65 | 51 | 875 | 9 | 3 |
The seasons in our college data. It does not always reach back to a player's first year.
Scouting Report
Ohio State · 2026 draft class
Carnell Tate is the top wide receiver prospect in the 2026 NFL Draft class and embodies the next evolution of Ohio State's receiver factory. At 6'3" with elite length, Tate is an alignment-versatile receiver who wins with smooth route running, a large catch radius, and exceptional football intelligence. He may be the best route runner in this class - savvy and nuanced with his ability to separate from defenders against both man and zone coverages. As a 5-star recruit in the 2023 class from IMG Academy, Tate contributed immediately as a true freshman before breaking out as a sophomore with 52 catches for 733 yards and 4 TDs as the Buckeyes won the National Championship. In his junior season, he has 39 catches for 711 yards and 7 TDs through 10 games. His height and wingspan offer a quarterback-friendly target - he extends the catch point away from his frame and plucks the ball from the air. Tate's high football IQ allows him to align anywhere and play any receiver spot.
Strengths
- Elite route runner - may be best in class with nuanced releases
- Large catch radius with soft reliable hands
- High football IQ displayed in route running vs man and zone
- Alignment versatile - can play X
- or slot positions
- Excellent ball tracking and contested catch ability
- Climbs ladder over defenders at catch point
- Technical prowess compensates for speed limitations
- National Championship experience at Ohio State
Concerns
- Lacks explosiveness off the line against athletic press corners
- Does not possess great top-end speed to threaten deep
- Long-legged athlete with segmented breaks at route tops
- Play strength needs improvement - handsy corners stay attached
- Speed limitations place more emphasis on technical approach
Honors
Consensus WR1 in 2026 class; Top-10 overall prospect; 5-star recruit (2023); National Champion (2024)