Carnell Tate caps sensational Scarlet-Gray spring game performance with 37-yard TD
Ohio State fans got a glimpse at the future on Saturday as Carnell Tate hauled in a 37-yard touchdown in a Buckeye uniform. The highly rated freshman receiver has generated plenty of conversation this offseason.
Tate caught a pass from Kyle McCord to find the end zone for the first time in the Scarlet and Gray spring game. A four-star recruit, he was one of the true freshmen to watch in this weekend’s spring game action, according to On3’s Charles Power.
Now, he has his first touchdown in Columbus.
Tate arrived on campus as a four-star recruit and the No. 8-ranked wide receiver prospect from the 2023 cycle, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.
Even before the game, Tate was getting plenty of attention as someone to watch. Ryan Day highlighted him in his pregame interview with Big Ten Network’s Brooke Fletcher, singling Tate out when he talked about the “bunch” of players to watch.
“A bunch of guys,” Day said of who to keep an eye on. “Carnell Tate, for one, has been really tremendous at wide receiver. But there’s a bunch of guys that people will enjoy watching today.”
Earlier in spring practice, Tate drew some praise from wide receivers coach and new offensive coordinator Brian Hartline. The Chicago native and IMG Academy (Fla.) product turned heads shortly after he got to campus and shed his black stripe March 25 after putting together a solid showing in a scrimmage.
“I would say he’s being well-detailed,” Hartline said, via On3 and Lettermen Row’s Spencer Holbrook. “I would say that he’s doing a pretty good job of taking meetings to the field. We talk about techniques, we talk about the details of every play, and he’s pretty consistent on hitting those. Probably the best thing he has done is just the ability to make a mistake, correct it and then move on from it. He very rarely has repeated mistakes. And that’s usually a pretty good sign of a good player, a guy that’s about his business.
“That’s probably what you’re hoping for.”
It sounds like Tate is making a name for himself right away in Columbus — which is exactly what he wants to do.
“As a child, I always grew up watching Ohio State and that’s where I’ve wanted to be since the eighth grade,” Tate told Lettermen Row‘s Matt Parker. “It was the ultimate dream of mine and I’m blessed to achieve that.
“Coach Day, coach Hartline, they believe in me and I know they’re going to take my skill to another level.”