Former Ohio State star Carnell Tate is already making noise in Nashville, and this time it has nothing to do with a route or a catch.
On Monday, Tate said he bought an unofficial number of his jersey and plans to give it away to fans who come see him for free. In a post on X, he said he will share an address once his jersey shipment arrives and then hand the jerseys out.
That gesture fits the picture Tate has built around himself. He’s presented as a player whose character matches his talent, someone who carries himself with respect and brings the kind of presence teammates can trust. The reporting around him paints the same picture on and off the field: a superstar wideout with a strong reputation as a young man.
And the football résumé is just as loud. Tate’s 2025 season was his breakout year, as he and Jeremiah Smith formed a dangerous tandem. In 11 games, Tate posted 51 catches for 875 yards and nine touchdowns.
He had already shown what he could do the year before, when he finished with 52 receptions, 733 yards and four touchdowns in 15 games for the Buckeyes as the No. 3 option.
What makes Tate such an intriguing NFL fit is the polish in his game. He’s described as a mature route runner who already looks like a veteran, smooth through his cuts and precise with his movement. When the ball is in the air, he goes after it.
That combination of production, polish and personality is why the expectation around Tate is so high. He looks like the kind of receiver who can make an immediate impact, and now he’s showing his new hometown that he intends to leave a mark beyond the field, too.
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