Carnell Tate was born on January 19, 2005, to Ashley Griggs and Sean Tate. He was raised by his mother in Chicago, Illinois and played high school football at Marist High School in Chicago's Mount Greenwood neighborhood from 2019 to 2020. As a junior in 2021, he transferred to and graduated from IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida. He was rated by Rivals.com as a five-star player, the No. 7 recruit in the 2023 college football recruiting class. A former five-star, Tate quickly established himself as one of the upcoming stars of college football. He had a breakout season in 2025, drawing national attention and recognition, with some projecting him to be a first-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.[1] Tate's career has also been shaped by personal tragedy, playing in honor of his late mother, Ashley Griggs. [2]
Tate was born and raised in Chicago, Illinois, first playing organize football at Marist High School. His natural speed and agility allowed him to quickly be recognized as one of Chicago's top prospects. His freshman year he caught 28 passes for 444 yards and five touchdowns, with his sophomore year being cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[3] In his junior year in 2021, he transferred to IMG Academy, a program known for producing elite college football athletes. There, he excelled playing against national competition, recording performances that highlighted his ability to stretch defenses and his big play potential.[4]
Tate was ranked as the No. 22 prospect nationally at the end of the recruiting cycle. He received 37 total scholarships in his time at IMG, including schools such as Ohio State, Tennessee, LSU, Alabama, and Arizona. He visited Ohio State in October 2022 and visited LSU and Tennessee in April of that same year. On June 20th, 2022, Tate officially announced his commitment to Ohio State.[5]
College Career
Freshman Season (2023)
Tate entered a crowded wide receiver room in his freshman season. Despite this, as a true freshman he appeared in all 13 games. He recorded 18 receptions for 264 yards and one touchdown, comparable numbers to past Ohio State wide receivers Chris Olave and Garret Wilson. Tate scored his first collegiate touchdown against Western Kentucky with a 28-yard reception from Devin Brown.[6] Any questions about his readiness or lack of experience in the college game were wiped away, and Tate looked ready to take the next step.[7]
Sophomore Season (2024)
In his second season, Tates role expanded drastically. He finished the season with 52 catches for 733 yards and four touchdowns, and he was becoming the receiver that was recruited so highly out of high school. On November 16, in his return to his hometown, he caught two touchdown passes in the Buckeyes' 31–7 win over Northwestern at Wrigley Field. He played a big role in the playoffs for Ohio State, with seven catches for 87 yards in their 28–14 win over Texas in the Cotton Bowl Classic. With the help of Tate now starting, Ohio State finished the season on top, beating Notre Dame in the College Football National Championship 34-23.[8] At the end of the 2024 and entering into the 2025, many scouts and analysts predicted a bigger role for Tate, and potentially a top breakout candidate in all of college football.[9]
Junior Season (2025)
So far, the 2025 season has shown Tates ability as a high-tier weapon in a college football offense. Through eight games in 2025, Tate has 39 catches, 711 receiving yards, and 7 total touchdowns. [10] He has had four games crossing over 100 receiving yards, and coach Ryan Day has said that he has done a lot of dirty work to allow other offensive players to thrive, especially star sophomore wide receiver Jeremiah Smith. The two have become compliments of each other, with Tate opening up the field for Smith, and vice versa. Tate is draft eligible for the NFL next season, and whether he will declare for the draft is an interesting storyline to follow closely as the season continues. [7]
Personal Life
Carnell Tate grew up in West Chicago, where drug abuse and violence were a common occurrence. He was raised by his mother, Ashley Griggs. She kept him out of trouble and the two were best friends, talking 4 to 5 days a week while Tate was in his freshman year at Ohio State.[11] In July of 2023, Tates life changed forever. His mother, Ashley Griggs, was shot and killed in a drive-by shooting in West Garfield Park, Chicago.[12] It changed his life, and he has spoken about using her as a motivator for when he steps on the field. Ever since her death, Tate has done the "blowing a kiss" celebration, which he says is his way of telling her he knows that she is watching. Tate uses this to motivate and drive him to work harder everyday.[11]
Academic Achievements
Tate is currently majoring in sports industry at Ohio State. He currently has five total academic honors to date so far during his time at Ohio State. He has gotten two OSU Scholar-Athlete awards, two Academic All-Big Ten honors, and finally the Big Ten's Distinguished Scholar Athlete award. To earn this award, a student must have earned Academic All-Big Ten honors the previous academic year, maintained full-time enrollment, and have a grade point average of 3.70 or greater.[13]
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