Carnell Tate Finding Voice As Leader For Buckeyes

Carnell Tate is stepping into a new role or two for the Buckeyes this year. First, the junior wide receiver is going to be a bit busier as a pass catcher than he was a year ago, and second, he’s going to be much busier as one of the leaders of this Ohio State offense.

With eight starters off to the NFL, new voices will need to step up — especially at receiver where Tate is now the elder statesman. Emeka Egbuka — who led the Buckeyes in receptions last year — was a first-round draft pick of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers last month, and now his leadership and production need to come from someone else.

But neither of those things happens without the necessary work being put in. Carnell Tate caught 52 passes for 733 yards and four touchdowns last year, so he knows a little something about the production side of things. Making plays has never been that difficult for Tate, but he’s still hard at work to make more. That’s where his on-field focus has been this year.

“It’s just the little things, really. Little things you’re trying to pick up on to improve your game because that’s what takes you to the next level, the little things,” Tate said. “It’s just making more contested catches, being more consistent, the little things as far as footwork.”

And while every player goes into an offseason with a plan of how to improve on the field, Tate also has enacted a plan on how to improve as a leader. He will be a junior this season and one of just a few returning starters for the Buckeyes. He understands what his experience means and is trying to use it to everyone’s benefit.

“I’ve just been able to voice my opinion more, talk to the guys, pushing more guys, being the voice,” Tate said back in the spring. “We lost a lot of the seniors. Those were the voices of the team, so we need more guys to step up and I’m willing to do that.”

Growing a voice is often just as much a part of a player’s development as growing on the field. It takes time for a player to feel comfortable enough to speak up, and generally just as long for them to have something noteworthy to say.

Carnell Tate has been a relatively quiet player for the Buckeyes, but now he’s doing more than just letting his play speak for him.

“I feel like I’m more comfortable because usually I’m just not talking. I just let my game play, but I know sometimes you’ve got to be vocal to pick other guys up and it’s just not always about me,” he said.

Tate is one of three third-year receivers on the Buckeye roster, joining redshirt sophomores Bryson Rodgers and Brandon Inniss. There are no senior receivers on the team, but Tate got a first-hand look last year on how a senior is supposed to lead.

“I learned everything from Emeka,” he explained. “I learned how to approach guys, how to approach different situations, and just talk to guys.”

Carnell Tate is being more vocal. His coaches asked it of him, but he also understood the need for it. Initially it took him out of his comfort zone, but this was always also going to be a natural progression for the talented wide receiver.

“It was always something that I could work on myself,” Tate said. “[The coaches] also just told me there’s no leadership in the room now with Emeka gone. They say when you talk, people will listen, so we need that from you guys.”

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