Ohio State standout wide receiver Carnell Tate announced on Tuesday he is leaving school early to declare for the NFL draft.
Tate announced his decision on social media. The junior had 51 receptions for 875 yards and nine touchdowns this season as he became a deep threat in the Buckeyes' passing attack.
Tate — an AP second-team All-American — had nine receptions of at least 40 yards, tied for third in the Football Bowl Subdivision, including five touchdowns. After missing three games in November because of lower leg tightness, Tate returned against Michigan and put the game out of reach with a 50-yard TD that made it 24-9 midway through the third quarter.
“I'm proud of everything I've accomplished at Ohio State and will carry the lessons, relationships, and memories from this program with me forever,” Tate wrote.
Tate is expected to become the sixth OSU receiver selected in the first round since 2022, joining Garrett Wilson and Chris Olave (2022), Jaxon Smith-Njigba (2023), Marvin Harrison Jr. (2024) and Emeka Egbuka (2025).
Ohio State's offense will have some changes after finishing 12-2 and losing to Miami in the College Football Playoff quarterfinal at the Cotton Bowl. Besides Tate's departure, offensive coordinator and receivers coach Brian Hartline has become the head coach at South Florida.
Coach Ryan Day announced last week he hired Cortez Hankton as receivers coach. Hankton had spent four seasons at LSU, including the past two as receivers coach and co-offensive coordinator.
Day though remains in the market for an offensive coordinator.
Even with Tate's departure, the Buckeyes will have plenty of talent in the passing game. First-team All-American Jeremiah Smith will be back for one more season along with quarterback Julian Sayin. Five-star prospect Chris Henry Jr. committed to the Buckeyes during the early signing period.
Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here and here (AP News mobile app). AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-football
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