When Carnell Tate committed to the Ohio State Buckeyes in 2022, he hardly knew that four years later, his name would be called out in the first round of the NFL Draft. From Columbus to Nashville, Tate became the No.4 pick for the Tennessee Titans. It was all because of one person, and Tate paid his tribute. 

The big transition from college to the NFL is indeed a special feeling. Even though Tate did not have her mother, Ashley Gribbs, in person to witness the moment, Tate still remembered his mother. 

“Yeah, my mom, she’s my everything. She was my rock. She was my world. If it wasn’t for her, I wouldn’t be here. She sacrificed everything for me. I’m forever indebted to her,” said Tate after taking the stage.

Tate was seen donning a cream colored jacket. But it was not an ordinary attire, as the wide receiver stitched her mother’s name inside the left collar and his sister’s name inside the right collar. 

His mother passed away in November 2024. It was a big setback for Tate, who said they were “best friends.” 

“I feel like my world ended,” Tate recalled that moment in one of the episodes of the Big Noon Kickoff in 2025. “My mom was everything to me. We used to talk 4-to-5 days per day, and then it felt like my world had just ended that night.” 

Tate will now begin a new life in the pros with his mother looking down on him. 

What does Carnell Tate’s future look like in Tennessee?

Tate becomes the second receiver to be drafted in the top four in the last decade, along with his fellow Ohio State Buckeye Marvin Harrison Jr., whom the Arizona Cardinals selected fourth overall in the 2024 NFL Draft.

Tate fell short of a 1000-yard receiving season during his three-year stint with the Buckeyes. However, he still recorded at least 50 receptions in both his sophomore and junior seasons, while going over 700 yards in the past two seasons.  

In that way, Tate was a surprising pick at No.4, and not a lot of draft experts saw that one coming. But the wide receiver thinks he is ready to suit up for the Titans. Taking the stage, Tate spoke about the chance to play for them and what he would bring to their offense. 

“I am a reliable target for him (Cam Ward, the Titans’ quarterback), whenever he need me, I’m there for him, I am always open,” said Tate on stage. 

The Titans did not have a true No.1 wide receiver option for Cam Ward with a mixed bag of wide receivers. Epic Ayomanor, Calvin Ridley, and Chimere Dike were the main targets, but none of them were even close to hitting 1,000 yards. 

Tate is stepping up after registering 51 receptions, without a single drop, according to PFF.

What are your thoughts on Tennessee's draft move? Drop in your comments.

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Written by

Samvruth Raj

Edited by

Soheli Tarafdar