Ohio State WR Carnell Tate, a former Tennessee Vols recruiting target, responds to transfer portal speculation
Over the last few weeks, there's been a lot of speculation about the possibility of Ohio State Buckeyes sophomore wide receiver Carnell Tate entering the NCAA transfer portal. I'm not sure where or why that speculation started, but it's led to some Tennessee Vols fans being excited about the idea of Tate landing in Knoxville. […]
Over the last few weeks, there's been a lot of speculation about the possibility of Ohio State Buckeyes sophomore wide receiver Carnell Tate entering the NCAA transfer portal.
I'm not sure where or why that speculation started, but it's led to some Tennessee Vols fans being excited about the idea of Tate landing in Knoxville.
Tate was one of the Vols' top recruiting targets during the 2023 cycle. Tennessee made a strong run at landing Tate, but he ultimately decided to commit to Ohio State because of the Buckeyes' recent history of developing wide receivers.
On Monday night, after Ohio State's win against Notre Dame in the national championship game, Tate was asked about the transfer portal.
Tate told 247Sports that he just wanted to enjoy the championship win on Monday night while adding that his goal is to win another championship with Ohio State in 2025.
Tate also reportedly told Buckeyes wide receivers coach Brian Hartline after the game to stay at Ohio State.
I don't see a scenario where entering the transfer portal makes sense for Tate. He's playing alongside Jeremiah Smith in Columbus, which creates more opportunities for Tate in the passing game. And Tate seems to love Hartline (his position coach). Why would Tate leave the program where he just won a national championship and seems completely happy?
NIL could always be a factor, but that wasn't the driving force in Tate's original decision to sign with Ohio State.
“It (NIL) hasn’t mixed up the thought process for me at all,” said Tate in 2022 after committing to Ohio State. “Because I know the big bucks come at the end when you go to the league. I don’t think NIL money can touch the league money as of right now. I know that picking money over development won’t get you into the right spot. Because the NIL money doesn’t help you get to the league.”
You never say never, but it would be quite a surprise to see Tate leave Ohio State this offseason for another program.
ESPN’s Kirk Herbstreit confirms suspicion about the role that Tennessee Vols fans played in Ohio State’s championship run
Well, now Vols fans know for sure
