Each of the two leading wide receivers in the NFL last year posted times above 4.5 seconds in the 40-yard dash at their respective NFL Scouting Combines.
Ohio State’s own Jaxon Smith-Njigba posted one of the best seasons from a wide receiver in NFL history in 2025, with 119 receptions for 1,793 yards and 10 touchdowns to claim AP Offensive Player of the Year honors en route to a Super Bowl win with the Seattle Seahawks. The Los Angeles Rams’ Puka Nacua trailed his production with 129 receptions for 1,713 yards and 10 touchdowns.
Those two men posted times of 4.52 and 4.57 seconds in their respective 40-yard dashes at the combine. Suffice to say that Carnell Tate’s 4.53 shouldn’t be dropping his draft stock. And he showed why at Ohio State’s pro day on Wednesday.
“I definitely think it can be overvalued,” Tate said. “A couple of the great NFL receivers right now, like Puka and Jaxon, they ain't run the fastest of times, but they're the two best receivers in the league right now. So, it just depends on who's looking at it and how y'all want to take it.”
Tate’s fluid athleticism and next-level route running were on display before representatives from all 32 NFL teams on Wednesday, yet another piece in a long line of evidence that he should be the top receiver taken in the 2026 NFL draft.
“It was easy to see he's got himself in great shape and how fast he's moving,” Ryan Day said. “How fluid he is and effortless he is, moving in and out of breaks, catching the ball, and that was on film. So he's a guy who is gonna be a number one wide receiver for some organization and somebody that has done it at a high level. And he's smooth, he's physical, and he's gonna be a guy that certainly can have an impact day one walking into a team.”
Ohio State and quarterback Julian Sayin gave Tate ample chances to showcase the skills that made him one of college football’s best receivers in 2026, particularly his ability to create separation on deep routes and overall route running. Despite missing three games with an injury, he finished last season with 51 receptions for 875 yards and nine touchdowns.
“I thought he looked good,” Day said of Tate’s pro day performance. “I thought he looked good running. I thought he was strong. He looked long and powerful and just eating up ground. And he was covering some of those over routes fast. Looked sharp catching the ball, just having a crisp day.”
It’s hard to poke many holes in Tate’s game. On top of the aforementioned route running, he had some of the strongest hands in college football, made difficult sideline catches look routine and high-pointed footballs clinically. If he’s the first wide receiver selected in the draft, it will be well deserved.
Teams haven’t even expressed concerns about Tate’s speed, he said. They don’t have many concerns in general.
“I think I checked all the boxes in my film,” Tate said. “Getting open, running past defenders. Also, I'm a willing blocker.”
Tate is one of four surefire first-round draft picks out of Ohio State on April 23, joining safety Caleb Downs and linebackers Arvell Reese and Sonny Styles. Defensive tackle Kayden McDonald has a great shot to make it five first-rounders for the Buckeyes in total.
“We're all happy for each other,” Tate said. “We always talked about this. Also, when you're a freshman and you come in, the goal is to go three (years) and out, go first round. So, to be able to finally do that, then do it with a group of guys it means a lot to. We’re all rooting for each other. We all wish for each other to go as high as possible.”
Tate will be in attendance for the draft in Pittsburgh, calling it a “once-in-a-lifetime” opportunity. Leaving Ohio State as a second-team All-American and first-team Academic All-American, he wants to be remembered for the great man he was on and off the field.
“That I was a great player,” Tate said. “Also, just how great of a player I was off the field. That speaks for your character, who you are as a person.”
