Ohio State standout wide receiver Carnell Tate announced Tuesday that he will leave school early and declare for the NFL draft.
Tate announced his decision on social media. The junior has caught 51 passes for 875 yards and nine touchdowns this season, becoming a threat in the Buckeyes’ passing attack.
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Tate, an AP second-team All-American, tied for third in the Football Bowl Subdivision with nine catches of at least 40 yards, including five touchdowns. After missing three games in November with calf tightness, Tate returned against Michigan and put the game out of reach with a 50-yard touchdown run midway through the third quarter to make it 24-9.
“I am proud of everything I accomplished at Ohio State and will always carry with me the lessons, relationships and memories from this program,” Tate wrote.
Tate is projected to be the sixth OSU receiver drafted in the first round since 2022, joining Garrett Wilson and Chris Olave (2022), Jaxon Smith-Njiba (2023), Marvin Harrison Jr. (2024) and Emeka Egbuka (2025).
Ohio State’s offense will see some changes following a 12-2 loss to Miami in the College Football Playoff quarterfinals at the Cotton Bowl. In addition to Tate’s departure, offensive coordinator and receivers coach Brian Hartline has become South Florida’s head coach.
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Coach Ryan Day announced the hiring of Cortez Hankton as receivers coach last week. Hankton spent four seasons at LSU, including the past two as receivers coach and co-offensive coordinator.
However, Day is still in the market for an offensive coordinator.
Even if Tate leaves, the Buckeyes will still have plenty of talent in the passing game. First-team All-American Jeremiah Smith will return for one season along with quarterback Julian Saine. Five-star prospect Chris Henry Jr. joined the Buckeyes early in his signing.
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