Carnell Tate

NFL Draft Profile: Carnell Tate

Position: Wide Receiver | School: Ohio State | Class: Junior

Height: 6'3" | Weight: 195 lbs | Archetype: Route Runner / Physical

College Career Summary

Carnell Tate arrived at Ohio State as a five-star prospect from IMG Academy and immediately entered the rotation in one of the most crowded receiver rooms in the country. After a developmental freshman season, he emerged as a consistent starter in 2024. In 2025, Tate solidified his status as a premier NFL prospect, serving as a reliable chain-mover and red-zone threat alongside Jeremiah Smith. Despite missing three games due to a lower-body injury in November, Tate produced at a first-round level whenever he was on the field. He finished the regular season as one of the Big Ten's highest-graded receivers, highlighted by a massive performance against Minnesota and consistent play in "The Game" against Michigan.

Career Totals:

• Receptions: 118

• Receiving Yards: 1,835

• Touchdowns: 14

• Drops: 0 (Reported across tracked 2025 games)

2025 Game-by-Game Grades

Week	Opponent	Stats (Rec/Yds/TD)	Grade	Scout's Notes
1	vs #14 Texas	2/49/1	B+	Limited volume but clutch; 40-yard TD catch.
2	vs Grambling St	5/69/1	A-	Showcased efficient route running; scores early.
3	vs Ohio	5/101/1	A	First 100-yard game of the season; 20.2 avg.
4	@ Washington	3/33/0	B-	Quiet day in a defensive battle; focused on blocking.
5	vs Minnesota	9/183/1	A+	The Apex. Career-high yardage; PFF Grade: 86.6.
6	@ Illinois	4/41/0	B	Consistent underneath; moved the chains on 3rd down.
7	@ Wisconsin	6/111/2	A+	Red-zone dominance; masterclass in body control.
8	vs Penn State	5/124/1	A	Big-play threat; 57-yard season-long reception.
12	@ #18 Michigan	5/82/1	A-	Reliable in the rivalry; crucial 50-yard gain.
13	vs #1 Indiana	4/45/1	B+	Scored the lone TD in a tight Big Ten Title loss.

Scouting Grade Rubric

Intangibles (.20) — Grade: 98/100

• Leadership: A lead-by-example player; widely respected in the locker room.

• Mental Toughness: Played through the 2023 season following the tragic loss of his mother; displays immense focus and grit.

• Competitor: Attacks the ball in the air; elite effort as a run blocker.

• Team Player: Happy to serve as a decoy or secondary option in a loaded offense.

• Star Power: Game-altering gravity; draws double teams that open up the field.

Physical Tools (.20) — Grade: 90/100

• Height/Weight: 6'3", 195 lbs. (Exceeds Height target; slightly under 200 lb weight target).

• Stamina: Elite; maintains route crispness deep into the 4th quarter.

• Durability: Generally reliable, though the 3-game absence in 2025 bears watching.

• Injury History: Lower-body injury (2025) is the only notable blemish.

Attributes (.20) — Grade: 96/100

• Catching: Elite. Vacuum hands; recorded zero drops in many tracked sessions this year.

• Route Running: Mastery. Already runs a professional-level tree with nuance.

• Body Control: Exceptional; adjusts to back-shoulder throws and high-points with ease.

• Separation: Uses technical prowess rather than raw speed to create windows.

• Release: Advanced; stacks defenders effectively and neutralizes press-man coverage.

Athleticism (.20) — Grade: 88/100

• Speed: Above Average. Deceptively fast in pads; game speed is better than track speed.

• Agility: High-tier; sinks his hips into breaks with fluid control.

• Jumping: Excellent vertical leap; a dominant 50-50 ball winner.

• Acceleration: Smooth. Gets to top speed quickly enough to threaten the seam.

• Break Tackle: Physicality helps him bounce off smaller DBs; more of a "fall forward" runner.

IQ (.20) — Grade: 97/100

• Awareness: Finds the "soft spots" in zone coverage with veteran-like instinct.

NFL Scouting Report

• Strengths: Elite catch radius and hand reliability; pro-ready route running; exceptional body adjustment in the air; aggressive and effective run blocker.

• Weaknesses: Lacks elite "burner" speed to blow past the league's fastest corners; slender frame needs additional functional mass for NFL physicality.

• Scheme Fit: Ideal for a West Coast or Pro-Style offense that values intermediate route precision and high-level chemistry (e.g., Vikings, Rams, Packers).

• NFL Comparison: Justin Jefferson (College Profile) / CeeDee Lamb.

Scout's Final Word

"Carnell Tate is a 'pro' in college clothing. He doesn't rely on being the fastest guy on the field because he is almost always the smartest and most technical. His hands are arguably the most reliable in the 2026 class. While he may not be a 4.3 burner, his ability to separate at the breaking point and his 'vacuum' hands make him a surefire WR1 or high-end WR2 at the next level. Projected: Mid-to-Late 1st Round."