Before IMG Academy (Bradenton, Florida) wideout Carnell Tate stepped foot in Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton on Sunday to play on ESPN in front of a national audience, he got a bit of advice from Buckeye coaches.
If he scored a touchdown, he should use his arms to throw up an O-H sign. They thought it was only right seeing as the 2023 Ohio State target was playing in the Buckeye State.
Tate’s nod to Ohio came on his second touchdown of the day during IMG Academy’s 58-0 drubbing of hapless Bishop Sycamore.
Another touchdown for Carnell Tate, and he throws up the O-H for the celebration: pic.twitter.com/08cZfzLTHp
— Griffin Strom (@GriffinStrom3) August 29, 2021
But it was perhaps his first touchdown of the afternoon that was the most impressive. On IMG Academy’s first drive, Tate secured a one-handed touchdown grab while a Bishop Sycamore defensive back grabbed his facemask.
“Knowing that my right hand was being held and I was still able to make the catch shows that I’m a playmaker and I can get the job done,” Tate said.
Carnell Tate catches a touchdown on the games opening drive. Not hard to see why hes one of Ohio States top wide receiver targets in the recruiting class of 2023. pic.twitter.com/Kmjx80SVXm
— Dan Hope (@Dan_Hope) August 29, 2021
As IMG Academy headed into the locker room up 23-0 midway through the first quarter because of a lightning delay, Tate gave another nod to Ohio State fans in attendance by giving another O-H to the cameras. He did not return to the game after play resumed.
Tate, who plans to commit on Oct. 8 because that’s when he’ll be with his family in Chicago, says he has not yet made a decision on a school ahead of his commitment date. His commitment is expected to come down to OSU and Notre Dame. He has made unofficial visits to OSU twice and to Notre Dame three times. Tate will take only one visit ahead of his commitment: Notre Dame on Oct. 2.
That doesn’t mean Ohio State hasn’t been in contact with the 58th-ranked player in 2023 and the 10th-best wide receiver in the cycle, per 247Sports’ composite rankings. Ryan Day spoke with Tate as recently as last week before IMG Academy’s game, wishing the junior receiver luck.
“He really wants me to be a Buckeye,” Tate said.
Ohio State coaches have also reached out to Tate about coming back for a visit, and have told him they’d like for him to attend their game the next day against Maryland if he commits to the Buckeyes on Oct. 8. As it stands right now, OSU feels good about where it stands regarding Tate.
Tate said he plans to watch Ohio State’s season opener on Thursday against Minnesota, one night before IMG Academy plays La Salle High School in Cincinnati.
“I’ll always watch their games,” Tate said.
Harris reschedules visit
Another one of Ohio State’s top targets for 2023 has delayed his fall visit to Columbus.
Five-star cornerback AJ Harris was scheduled to attend OSU’s home opener against Oregon on Sept. 11, but he had to postpone after no flights were available near his home home in Phenix City, Alabama, that would allow him to make it to Columbus in time for the noon kickoff after he got done playing for Glenwood School on Friday night, his father Daniel Harris told Eleven Warriors on Monday.
Daniel said he and AJ now plan to attend OSU’s home game against Maryland on Oct. 9, which will be easier to attend since AJ plays a game on Thursday that week and the pair can catch a flight on Friday.
AJ Harris, who Ohio State remains in good standing with, is rated as the No. 13 overall prospect and the third-best cornerback in the 2023 class.
Bosco DBs, Jadyn Davis to attend Oregon game
Four defensive backs from St. John Bosco (Bellflower, California) all received an Ohio State offer on June 17 when they visited Columbus. All four of those players, all of whom are four-star recruits, announced they will return to Ohio State for the Buckeyes’ matchup against Oregon on Sept. 11.
Ill be in Columbus next weekend for the Oregon vs Ohio State game! #GoBuckeyes @COACH_T_BULLOCK
— Jshawn Frausto-Ramos (@JshawnRamos) August 30, 2021
Ill be in Columbus next saturday for the Ohio St vs Oregon game@COACH_T_BULLOCK
— Marcelles Williams (@cellesthegreat1) August 30, 2021
I heard Ohio State and Oregon are having a game ? Looks like ill be in Columbus @oregonfootball @OhioStateFB @COACH_T_BULLOCK
— RJ Jones (@RJThaGr8_) August 30, 2021
Looking forward to it! @boscofootball @COACH_T_BULLOCK https://t.co/w0HdLdjCK7
— Peyton PeyPey Woodyard (@peypey_wood) August 28, 2021
Two of the defensive backs, R.J. Jones and Jshawn Frausto-Ramos, are from the class of 2023, while Peyton Woodyard and Marcelles Williams are from the class of 2024.
Jones is rated the 216th-best player nationally and the 21st safety, while Frausto-Ramos is rated 249th overall in the class and the 29th-best cornerback. Meanwhile, Woodyard is considered the 20th-best player and second-best safety in 2024, while Williams is ranked 70th overall and the eighth-best cornerback.
Those aren't the only Bosco players scheduled to attend the Oregon game. According to 247Sports, Earnest Greene, Matayo Uiagalelei, Ty Lee and Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa will also be there.
Ohio State will also host the No. 1 overall prospect in the 2024 class, quarterback Jadyn Davis, for the Oregon game. Davis told 247Sports he plans to attend the Clemson vs. Georgia game this weekend and Penn State's game against Auburn on Sept. 18 in addition to his OSU visit.
Davis, who has already emerged as a major priority for Ohio State's 2024 class, has thrown for more than 600 yards and eight touchdowns in his first two games for Catawba Ridge (Fort Mill, South Carolina) this season.
