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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 he is selected, likely in the first round this week, he will join the Buckeye wide receiver fraternity to make it to the NFL.
Chris Olave, Garrett Wilson, Marvin Harrison Jr. and Jaxon Smith-Njigba are just a few of the Buckeyes taken in the first round this decade.
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Ohio State wide receiver Carnell Tate runs down the field after a sack during the CFP Cotton Bowl Classic quarterfinal football game against Miami at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, on Dec. 31, 2025. (Matthew Visinsky/Icon Sportswire)
Naturally, it’s easy to compare position players 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, those guys are themselves,” Tate said in a recent interview with Pak Gazette Digital. “Everyone has prepared their own destiny. You go out and do what you know you can do, not the guy next to you.”
At the very least, the Buckeye brotherhood is strong and Tate already has people to turn to for advice and 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. (Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
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“They are amazing, fantastic guys who paved the way for me to have this platform, so it’s only right that I continue the legacy at Receiver U,” Tate said. “All those guys have been helpful throughout my entire process. Every time they come to town, they give us knowledge, they give us life advice, general advice about the league. Whenever I need those guys, they welcome me with open arms.”
And whenever Buckeyes young and old get together, Tate surely has PayPal on hand.
“They have the group feature that allows you to just send a link in a group chat, and it makes it easier for everyone to send money,” Tate said of his partnership with PayPal. “PayPal makes everything easier for everyone.”
The offseason has been a whirlwind 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 will.
Carnell Tate of the Ohio State Buckeyes makes a reception during a college football game against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Ohio, on Nov. 1, 2025. (Joe Robbins/Sportswire Icon)
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“It’s been 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 ever wanted, and in a week, I’ll see my dreams come true.”
