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Carnell Tate not rushing decision, focused on recruiting experience

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Ohio State is supposedly the team to beat for the four-star IMG prospect. (Birm/Lettermen Row)

Ohio State football recruiting can be a wild ride full of twists and turns as recruits from all over the country maneuver their way to signing day. Lettermen Row is here to help navigate the tumultuous roads by getting to the heart of the matter with the young football players and Ohio State coaches and staff members themselves. Today we’re talking to Carnell Tate who recently made two visits to Ohio State in a three-week stretch.

It was all but finished for Carnell Tate.

The country’s No. 3-ranked receiver had set a decision date. He knew the school he was going to pick.

“I know the school I am committing to October 8,” Carnell Tate said. “I have made up my mind. After the summer visits, all the phone calls and some big talks with my family, I have made my mind up.

“I would say I have known since some time in July.”

And then he decided it was too soon to decide. Instead of issuing a commitment to Ohio State or Notre Dame — or anywhere else — the 6-foot-2, 185 pound wideout pushed things back indefinitely. He wanted to see more places and continue building relationships that will ultimately shape his choice, whenever he makes it.

This past weekend, the IMG Academy star was at Tennessee. The weekend before included a game-day visit at Ohio State and a pitstop at Notre Dame on his way to Chicago. That’s where Tate is from and he used the Thanksgiving week to spend some time in the Windy City with his family.

College football recruiting is a nonstop, year-long proposition for players like Carnell Tate. It’s even more daunting for kids at IMG, who leave home for school and essentially live like a college athlete years before their peers. That is emotionally taxing and it’s something Tate has learned in the last year.

He’s also learned a lot about college football teams. He’s been all over the place and wants to keep learning more. Carnell Tate won’t deny that Ohio State and Notre Dame are near the top of his list, but he’s trying to keep an open mind as he examines what is best for his development.

How does his relationship with Brian Hartline? What changed in the way Ohio State felt from his Oct. 30 visit to his Nov. 20 trip? Why was it important for him to visit Notre Dame again so quickly?

Carnell Tate, one of Ohio State’s overall top priorities in the Class of 2023, talked about those things and more on the latest edition of Birminology from Lettermen Row.

Check out the video below and head to YouTube.com for more Buckeyes video coverage all year long.

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