Following Ohio State’s thrilling 34-23 win over Notre Dame to capture the College Football Playoff National Championship on Monday night, rumors have swirled about the future of standout wide receiver Carnell Tate.
The Buckeyes capped off a historic season, their first national title since 2014, with Tate playing a key role in their success.
However, speculation about a potential transfer has sparked conversations across college football circles.
Tate, a sophomore wide receiver, was instrumental to Ohio State’s offense in this season. (Although many feel he was underutilized.)
Serving as the No. 3 receiving option behind stars Jeremiah Smith and Emeka Egbuka, the former five-star recruit tallied 52 receptions for 733 yards and four touchdowns.
With his sights set on an even bigger role in 2025, the question remains: will he continue his journey in Columbus or seek a fresh start elsewhere?
For weeks, rumors have linked the IMG Academy alum to programs like Tennessee, Texas, and Oregon.
Despite the speculation, Tate was quick to downplay transfer talks in the aftermath of the Buckeyes’ championship win.
“I’m just going to celebrate with my team,” Tate told 247Sports reporter Brad Crawford when asked about his potential entry into the transfer portal.
The wideout’s response suggests that, for now, his focus remains on the Buckeyes and their future prospects.
Tate is expected to take on a more prominent role in 2025, likely as a primary target alongside Jeremiah Smith.
While the lure of the transfer portal has become increasingly tempting for players seeking immediate NIL opportunities, Tate has long maintained that his ultimate goal is the NFL.
Speaking after his commitment to Ohio State in 2022, Tate emphasized the importance of development over short-term financial gain.
“It (NIL) hasn’t mixed up the thought process for me at all,” Tate said at the time. “Because I know the big bucks come at the end when you go to the league. I don’t think NIL money can touch the league money as of right now.
“I know that picking money over development won’t get you into the right spot. Because the NIL money doesn’t help you get to the league.”
At 6-foot-3, Tate possesses the physical tools and skills to thrive at the next level.
With Ohio State’s proven track record of producing elite NFL wide receivers, including several current stars in the league, the Buckeyes remain a compelling place for him to continue his ascent.
For now, Buckeye Nation can take solace in Tate’s focus on celebrating the championship with his teammates.
Having said that, when push comes to shove do you think Tate will end up leaving Columbus for greener pastures elsewhere?
His previous comments about NIL vs. development couldn’t have been said more perfectly … However, will he stick to that stance once those million dollar-plus offers start being thrown around???
