Simmons Scoop: Tennessee still battling for elite 2023 WR Carnell Tate

Leading up to his commitment to Ohio State, coveted four-star Chicago (Ill.) IMG Academy wide receiver Carnell Tate was largely down to two schools: the Buckeyes and Tennessee.

After a back and forth battle leading up to his announcement, it was ultimately OSU who won out. Over the course of three days in June, the Buckeyes landed commitments from Tate, five-star wideout Brandon Inniss and top-50 receiver prospect Noah Rogers.

Tate has remained committed to Ryan Day and Co., but according to On3 Director of Recruiting Chad Simmons, the Volunteers haven’t given up on him. Simmons had this to say on the latest edition of On3’s Simmons Scoop:

“At one time, I thought Carnell Tate was a Tennessee lean, but went back to Ohio State late before committing to the Buckeyes earlier this summer. I don’t think he is done just yet. There’s some chatter, some buzz behind the scenes that the communication has picked back up with the coaching staff in Knoxville.

… I was probably about 80 percent sure that Tate was going to end up at Tennessee. But he has that connection with [Ohio State receivers coach] Brian Hartline. Ohio State obviously has produced wide receivers, and of course he’s from the Midwest, Chicago area. Of course he’s friends with Brandon Inniss. There’s a lot that helps Ohio State here, and he’s still committed. Nothing has changed there. But there has been more talk, at least according to my sources, between he and Tennessee.

… Definitely something to watch. He’s close to five-star Tennessee QB commit Nico Iamaleava, and the two are in strong communication. He knows other commitments in this Tennessee, and I’m not saying anything is imminent, but I do think you have to keep an eye on Carnell Tate as we progress through the season and close in on the Early Signing Period. Tennessee is in this, and they were in one time viewed, in my opinion, as the frontrunner. He’s committed to Ohio State, and they’re now the leader. But keep an eye on the Tennessee Vols.”

Carnell Tate Scouting Summary

Tate is the No. 37 overall prospect in the 2023 class, according to the On3 Consensus, a complete and equally weighted industry-generated average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He ranks as the nation’s No. 6 wide receiver and the No. 8 senior in the state of Florida. On3 Director of Scouting and Rankings Charles Power has this to say about him:

“Well-rounded receiver with technical savvy and large catch radius. Has very long arms and big hands. Highly coordinated with the ability to track, adjust and high-point the football in contested situations. Has shown some encouraging route-running skills. Doubles as a dangerous return man due to his change of direction and open-field vision. A good athlete with play speed, though not quite as fast as some of his peers in a combine setting.”