Ohio State Athletics
Name: Carnell Tate
Position: Receiver
Recruiting Rank: Consensus 5-star prospect
High School: Marist HS (Chicago, IL) → IMG Academy (Bradenton, FL)
College: Ohio State
Captain: No
Measurables
Height: 6’3
Weight: 191
40 Yard: 4.60
10 Yard: Unknown
Arm Length: Unknown
Hand Size: Unknown
Vertical: Unknown
3 Cone: Unknown
Broad Jump: Unknown
Bench: Unknown
Position Specific
Positives in Pass Game:
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Polished route-runner with advanced hip sink, stem manipulation, and tempo control.
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Strong body control adjusting to off-target throws and high-pointing in contested situations.
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Reliable hands, consistently plucking away from frame and minimizing drops.
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Savvy versus zone coverage — understands when to throttle down and find soft spots.
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Excellent deep-ball tracking and positioning over either shoulder.
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Trustworthy in scramble drills, working back to quarterback naturally.
Negatives in Pass Game:
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Lacks elite vertical burst; not a true burner to stack corners regularly.
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Doesn’t consistently separate with raw athleticism alone — relies heavily on technique.
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Limited ceiling as a pure WR1 deep threat; speed questions may cap explosive play frequency.
Positives in Run Game:
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Competitive blocker with advanced leverage usage and willingness to engage physically.
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Plays with toughness over the middle, setting a tone for perimeter runs.
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Understands body positioning and angles to wall off defenders.
Negatives in Run Game:
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While technically sound, not a dominant blocker who will overwhelm defenders physically.
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Can struggle against bigger, more physical corners in press situations when asked to stalk-block.
The Wrap-up
Summary: Tate’s combination of technical route-running and reliable hands gives him immediate value as a chain-mover and third-down weapon. Though not an elite athlete, his intelligence and precision allow him to consistently create separation and deliver production in timing-based offenses. He profiles more as a Chris Olave-type technician than a Garrett Wilson-type explosive playmaker.
Injury Concerns: None noted.
Character/Off-Field Concerns: None noted.
Projected Role: Starting Z-receiver in a timing-heavy offense.
Strong Points:
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Advanced route running and separation skills
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High-level football IQ and zone awareness
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Strong, reliable hands with body control
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Consistent production in big games
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Willing and technically sound blocker
Weak Points:
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Speed is good but not elite; capped vertical threat
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Relies on nuance and timing rather than athletic dominance
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Ceiling may be limited compared to elite WR1 archetypes
Exposures:
- Akron (2024)
- Purdue (2024)
- Texas (2024)
About the Author
Dalton Tinklenberg is the Founder and Media Director of The Scouting Depot, where he leads comprehensive coverage of college and professional football. He is an active member of some of the most respected organizations in sports journalism, including the Football Writers Association of America (FWAA), Pro Football Writers of America (PFWA), Maxwell Football Club, Online News Association (ONA), National Football Foundation (NFF), and the Associated Press Sports Editors (APSE).
Before launching The Scouting Depot, Dalton worked with Blue HQ Media, where he covered major sporting events such as the Indianapolis 500, the College Football Playoff, and the Pro Football Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony.
Through his professional affiliations and on-the-ground experience, Dalton combines deep knowledge of the game with recognized standards of storytelling, editorial excellence, and authenticity in sports coverage.
