2026 NFL Draft: Carnell Tate Selected By Tennessee Titans With Fourth Overall Pick 

Former Ohio State wide receiver Carnell Tate heard his name called early on Thursday in the first round of the NFL draft.

Tate was selected with the fourth overall pick by the Tennessee Titans. The Chicago native lived up to his status as a recruit ranked inside the top 60 of 247Sports’ rankings. Tate flashed his potential as a freshman, finishing the season with 18 catches for 264 yards and four touchdowns. 

It wasn’t until his sophomore season that Tate broke out onto the scene. Playing a key role  on Ohio State’s 2024 national championship-winning team, Tate finished the season with 733 yards and four touchdowns.

He saved his best year for last. though. Playing alongside fellow star receiver Jeremiah Smith, Tate finished 2025 with 51 catches for 875 yards and nine touchdowns. Tate earned second-team All-American honors for his efforts as a junior.

Tate is the first Buckeye to come off the board, which wasn’t how it had been projected, Tennessee head coach Robert Saleh liked him enough to take him early.

Now he will join the Titans, which went 3-14 last season, last in the AFC South and join the wide receiver room that has Calvin Ridley, Wan’Dale Robinson, Elic Ayomanor and more.

Tate is the sixth Ohio State receiver to be selected in the first round of the NFL draft in the last five drafts.