Carnell Tate didn't sprint at Ohio State's Pro Day. He didn't have to. The receiver, fresh off a Combine where he posted a 4.49-second 40-yard dash, made a calculated decision. He told reporters that the 40 can be "overvalued," a sentiment many scouts privately share. Good for him. He already put up the numbers.
Here's the thing: Tate’s combine performance wasn’t just about the 40. He also notched a 38-inch vertical jump and a 10’11” broad jump. Those are elite numbers, showcasing explosive athleticism that translates directly to the field. He’s not a straight-line burner like Xavier Worthy, who set a combine record with a 4.21, but Tate is more than fast enough. Last season, as a true freshman, Tate managed 18 receptions for 264 yards and one touchdown. That's respectable production in an Ohio State receiving room that already featured Marvin Harrison Jr. and Emeka Egbuka. He did it while playing only 268 snaps, according to Pro Football Focus.
Look, the 40-yard dash is a piece of the puzzle, not the whole picture. For every John Ross, who ran a then-record 4.22 in 2017 but had a career-high of 506 receiving yards, there's a Cooper Kupp, who clocked a 4.62 in 2017 and won a Super Bowl MVP. Tate’s game speed is evident on film. Against Purdue last October, he turned a short crossing route into a 22-yard gain, outrunning two defenders to the sideline. In the Cotton Bowl against Missouri, he showed incredible body control on a contested catch for 16 yards, despite the Buckeyes’ struggles. He consistently creates separation and makes tough catches in traffic. That's what NFL teams want.
My hot take? Over-reliance on Pro Day numbers for players who already tested well at the Combine is lazy scouting. Tate’s decision to sit out the 40 shows confidence, not a lack of effort. He knows his film speaks louder than a second attempt at shaving a few hundredths of a second off a sprint. Ohio State has a history of producing NFL-ready receivers, from Terry McLaurin to Garrett Wilson, neither of whom were solely defined by their 40 times. McLaurin ran a 4.35, Wilson a 4.38. Tate's 4.49 is right in that neighborhood.
Tate's focus now shifts to spring practice and carving out a bigger role in Ryan Day’s offense. With Harrison Jr. off to the NFL, there's a void. Emeka Egbuka returns, but Tate will be competing with Jeremiah Smith and Brandon Inniss for significant targets. Tate’s ability to play both outside and in the slot gives him versatility, something NFL scouts love to see. He lined up in the slot for 71 snaps last season and outside for 197. That flexibility will only increase his draft stock down the line.
He’s got the physical tools, the early production, and now, the mental fortitude to trust his game. Expect Tate to break out in 2024, eclipsing 1,000 receiving yards and establishing himself as a legitimate first-round prospect for the 2026 NFL Draft.