Ohio State wide receiver Carnell Tate has announced he will forgo his remaining eligibility and declare for the NFL Draft, making his decision public on January 6, 2026. Despite having another year to play, Tate is projected to be a potential first-round selection in the upcoming April draft.
In a heartfelt message shared on social media platforms Instagram and X, Tate expressed pride in his achievements at Ohio State, stating, “I’m proud of everything I’ve accomplished at Ohio State and will carry the lessons, relationships, and memories from this program with me forever.”
Tate is the first player among the Buckeyes’ draft-eligible underclassmen to declare for early entry, with the deadline set for January 14. He had an impressive season in 2025, where he was instrumental as a wide receiver, particularly during a breakout phase opposite fellow receiver Jeremiah Smith. Although an injury sidelined him for three games in the latter part of the regular season, he still managed to accumulate 51 receptions for 875 yards and nine touchdowns.
After recovering from his injury, Tate made a significant return in a crucial game against Michigan, where he caught a touchdown pass that helped the Buckeyes break a four-game losing streak against their longtime rival. His season performance revealed him as a key playmaker, as he finished the year ranking among the top receivers in the Football Bowl Subdivision, with only three receivers recording more passes gaining 40 or more yards.
Known for his speed and catching ability, Tate had a remarkable 77.6% catch rate this past season, tied for ninth-highest among FBS receivers, and he boasted a streak of not dropping a single pass. This marks his second season as a starter for Ohio State, where he previously contributed to the team’s national championship run with 52 catches for 733 yards and four touchdowns in 2024.
If Tate indeed goes in the first round of the draft, he would join an impressive cohort as the sixth receiver from Ohio State to be picked among the first 32 selections in five years, continuing the program’s rich tradition of producing elite NFL talent.