Developed Here: Carnell Tate Drafted No. 4 Overall by Tennessee Titans

PITTSBURGH – Ohio State wide receiver Carnell Tate was selected fourth overall in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft on Thursday night by the Tennessee Titans. Overall, the Buckeyes now have 96 first-round selections in program history, the most all time, and 17 first-round picks in the Ryan Day era (2019-present).

Since 2022, all six Ohio State wide receivers that were drafted have gone in the first round, with an average draft position of 11.3. Additionally, the Buckeyes have had the highest receiver taken in three of five NFL Drafts.

Carnell Tate in 2026 (No. 4 to the Tennessee Titans)

Marvin Harrison in 2024 (No. 4 to the Arizona Cardinals)

Jaxon Smith-Njigba in 2023 (No. 20 to the Seattle Seahawks)

Also, with Tate's selection to the Titans with fourth pick, it marked the first time in Ohio State history that a wide receiver was selected in the first round in five straight drafts. He also became Ohio State's sixth wide receiver in the last five years to have his name called in the first round.

Beyond that Ohio State's six wide receivers are the most total first round picks among any school since 2022, that total is also the most of any school for total wide receivers taken in any round during that time span. And, Ohio State is now the first team to have a wide receiver selected in the first round of five consecutive drafts (2022-26).

First Round Wide Receivers by School Since 2022 (updated as of Pick No. 4 in 2026 NFL Draft)

Rank	School	1st Round WRs	Total WR Selected	Percentage of WR Selected in 1st Round
1.	Ohio State	6	6	100%
T2.	Texas	2	4	50%
T2.	USC	2	4	50%
T2.	LSU	2	3	67%
T5.	Alabama	1	3	33%
T5.	Florida	1	3	33%
T5.	Washington	1	3	33%
T5.	Colorado	1	3	33%
T5.	Penn State	1	2	50%
T5.	South Carolina	1	2	50%
T5.	Arizona	1	2	50%
T5.	Boston College	1	1	100%

The Buckeyes have now had 51 wide receivers taken in the NFL Draft, which ranks second all-time to USC.

Finally, since Ryan Day officially was named Ohio State's head coach on Dec. 4, 2018, Ohio State has had 19 alumni declare for the NFL Draft early and forgo their final year of eligibility and all of them have been drafted with 12 being picked in the first round.

2019:

Nick Bosa, 2nd Overall, Round 1 – San Francisco 49ers

Dwayne Haskins, 15th Overall, Round 1 – Washington Redskins

Michael Jordan, 136th Overall, Round 4 – Cincinnati Bengals

2020:

Chase Young, 2nd Overall, Round 1 – Washington Redskins

Jeff Okudah, 3rd Overall, Round 1 – Detroit Lions

J.K. Dobbins, 55th Overall, Round 2 – Baltimore Ravens

2021:

Justin Fields, 11th Overall, Round 1 – Chicago Bears

Tommy Togiai, 132nd Overall, Round 4 – Cleveland Browns

2022:

Garrett Wilson, 10th Overall, Round 1 – New York Jets

Nicholas Petit-Frere, 69th Overall, Round 3 – New Orleans Saints

2023:

C.J. Stroud, 2nd Overall, Round 1 – Houston Texans

Paris Johnson Jr., 6th Overall, Round 1 – Arizona Cardinals

Jaxon Smith-Njigba, 20th Overall, Round 1 – Seattle Seahawks

Luke Wypler, 190th Overall, Round 6 – Cleveland Browns

2024:

Marvin Harrison Jr., 4th Overall, Round 1 – Arizona Cardinals

Mike Hall Jr., 54th Overall, Round 2 – Cleveland Browns

2025:

Josh Simmons, 32nd Overall, Round 1 – Kansas City Cheifs

Quinshon Judkins, 36th Overall, Round 2 – Cleveland Browns

2026:

Carnell Tate, 4th Overall, Round 1 – Tennessee Titans

Still Awaiting Selection:

Arvell Reese

Caleb Downs

Kayden McDonald

Max Klare

What They're Saying:

Head Coach Ryan Day:
"The Tennessee Titans are getting a polished, reliable receiver who understands the game at a high level and can be trusted in any situation. Carnell's game translates very well to the NFL, where his skill set will be on full display. No doubt he will have an impact on the field Day 1. We all look forward to watching him dominate in Nashville."

Daniel Jeremiah (NFL Network):
"When I evaluated Tate. He's my sixth overall player. He was my top wide receiver in this draft class. He's my top guy. He's going to beat press coverage. He's got the strength to do that. And once he gets on top of he is able to stack the corner, get on top of him, and then adjust and make big plays down the field. He has got outstanding hands. His contact catch rate is off the charts as they get to his minutes. He's coming down with it. And then after the catch, this is not the primary weapon he possesses. It's more down in the field, but he is slippery and elusive when he gets in a little bit of space there rock polish you don't come out of Ohio State with without being a polished wide receiver. There's been a long list of them. He might not have been the best wide receiver on his team, Joe, but he's the best wide receiver in this draft."
Joel Klatt (FOX):
"Carnell is exceptional. He's an exceptional young man. He's a terrific talent. He's a worker. He's a technician. He wanted that challenge going to Ohio State and playing in that room. This is a guy that I've loved for a long time."

Titans - Buckeyes Connection:

Tennessee has now drafted four Buckeyes, most recently selecting Nicholas Petit-Frere in the third round of the 2022 NFL Draft. In addition, Tate is the first Ohio State player drafted by the Titans in the first round since they moved to Nashville.

Carnell Tate – Tennessee Titans, 1st Round (No. 4 Overall)

Carnell's star at Ohio State continued to rise for three years while he was a member of the team before declaring for the 2026 NFL Draft following the 2025 season, his third with the program.

He played in 39 games between 2023-25, started 26 and finished his Ohio State career with 121 receptions for 1,872 yards and 14 touchdowns.

He ranks 18th in both receptions and yards at Ohio State and 26th in touchdowns.

Had a reception in 37 of the 39 games in which he played

Despite missing three games in 2025 because of injury, Tate was a force on the playing field with 51 receptions for 875 yards, a 17.2 yards-per reception average with nine touchdowns

He had four 100-yard receiving games topped by a career-high 183 yards off another career-best nine catches against Minnesota.

He averaged 32.5 yards per touchdown reception with five such scores over 40 yards.

Four major organizations – the American Football Coaches Association, The Sporting News, Associated Press and On3 – named him a second-team All-American as a junior.

Was named first-team all-Big Ten by both the coaches and the media.

Tate was also a force off the field in 2025: he was a first-team Academic All-American as selected by the College Sports Communicators with a 3.50 grade point average while majoring in sport industry

He is the 33rd Ohio State football player to earn first-team Academic All-America honors.

15 of Tate's starts came as a sophomore during the Buckeyes' national championship season of 2024.

Playing alongside first-round NFL Draft pick Emeka Egbuka and freshman sensation Jeremiah Smith, Tate caught 52 passes for 733 yards and four touchdowns during the championship season

Had a memorable and personal homecoming in the Northwestern game at Wrigley Field with four catches for 52 yards and two touchdowns.

Played in all 13 games as a true freshman in 2023 and started in the Goodyear Cotton Bowl.

Caught a pass in his first game as a Buckeye - for 15 yards vs. Indiana - and proceeded to catch passes in 11 of the 13 games he played in.

Finished his freshman campaign with 18 receptions for 264 yards and one touchdown.

His freshman season totals eclipsed the frosh year totals of recent Ohio State greats: Chris Olave (12 receptions in 2018), Marvin Harrison Jr. (11 in 2021), Curtis Samuel (11 in 2014) and Jaxon Smith-Njigba (10 in 2020).

Had three receptions for 79 yards with a long gain of 55 yards in the win over Purdue.

Scored his first collegiate touchdown vs. Western Kentucky, a 28-yard reception from Devin Brown.

A Big Ten Conference Distinguished Scholar, a two-time Academic All-Big Ten honoree and a two-time OSU Scholar-Athlete.

Honors & Awards:

2025: Second-team All-American (AFCA, The Sporting News, AP and On3), first-team All-Big Ten Conference, first-team Academic All-American, Academic All-Big Ten.

2024: Big Ten Conference Distinguished Scholar, OSU Scholar-Athlete, Academic All-Big Ten

2023: OSU Scholar-Athlete

Departments

Media

More

University

Information

Athletic Facilities

Athletics

The Team Shop

Get In The Game

Purchase Tickets

Purchase Tickets

Ticket Office

Resources

Schedules