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Former Ohio State star Carnell Tate has many names to live up to, but he only wants to live up to one: his own.
Once drafted, likely in the first round this week, he will join the entire fraternity of Buckeye receivers in making it to the NFL.
Chris Olave, Garrett Wilson, Marvin Harrison Jr. and Jaxon Smith-Njigba are just a few Buckeyes selected in the first round this decade.
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Ohio State wide receiver Carnell Tate runs down the field after a catch during the CFP Cotton Bowl Classic quarterfinal football game against Miami at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas on December 31, 2025. (Matthieu Visinsky/Icon Sportswire)
Naturally, it’s easy for position players to be compared to those who share an alma mater, but Tate doesn’t want to be someone he’s not.
“I can only be Carnell Tate. I’m not Marv, I’m not Garrett, I’m not Chris, these guys are themselves,” Tate said in a recent interview with PK Press Club Digital. “Everyone has their destiny mapped out. You go out there and do what you know you can be, not the guy next to you.”
At the very least, the Buckeye brotherhood is strong, and Tate already has advice to consult – and he feels a responsibility to maintain OSU’s positive name.
Carnell Tate of the Ohio State Buckeyes celebrates after a touchdown during the third quarter against the Michigan Wolverines at Michigan Stadium on November 29, 2025 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. (Grégory Shamus/Getty Images)
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“These are incredible, great guys who paved the way for me to have this platform, so it’s only fitting that I carry on the legacy of Receiver U,” Tate said. “All these guys have helped me throughout my process. Every time they come to town, they pass on their knowledge, give us life advice, general advice about the league. Whenever I need these guys, they welcome me with open arms.”
And whenever the young and old Buckeyes get together, Tate surely has PayPal on hand.
“They have a pool system that allows them to just send a link in a group chat, and it makes it easier for everyone to send money,” Tate said of its partnership with PayPal. “PayPal makes things smoother for everyone.”
It’s been a whirlwind offseason for Tate, who went from trying to win a second straight national championship to training for the NFL draft. There was no real offseason and he had the most important job interviews of his life while meeting with teams.
But the job is done, and now Tate is letting the cards fall as they may.
Carnell Tate of the Ohio State Buckeyes gives a reception during a college football game against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Ohio on November 1, 2025. (Joe Robbins/Sportswire Icon)
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“It’s different. Everyone says it’s going to be the longest year of your life,” Tate admitted. “But it’s been exciting. It’s everything I’ve ever wanted, and in a week I see my dreams come true.”
