The NFL Combine is off and running, and Saturday was the day for the skill position players to take the field on offense.
Ohio State’s Carnell Tate was one of those players who chose to work out at the Combine, hoping to potentially solidify himself as the best receiver in this draft class. As Tate’s workout progressed, however, the rest of the World was surprised by his 40-time.
The World Reacts to Carnell Tate’s 40-Yard-Dash
Tate may have been overshadowed at Ohio State by an expected top draft pick, Jeremiah Smith, who played in the same offense as him.
Tate, however, was incredibly productive and is expected to be one of the first receivers off the board when April’s draft rolls around.
For example, PFSN’s most recent seven-round mock draft has Tate going in the top-5.
Tate was expected to light up the track and show off some of the speed that made him and Smith one of the most dynamic duos in all of college football, but his time was noticeably slower than expected.
Dan Hope has covered Tate for the duration of his career at Ohio State for Eleven Warriors.
“Carnell Tate runs another unofficial time of 4.54 on his second 40-yard dash attempt at the NFL Scouting Combine. Not the time he was hoping for.”
He has seen Tate’s speed up close and personal during his time in Columbus and noted that the 4.54 40-yard dash was not the time Tate was likely hoping for.
Carnell Tate runs another unofficial time of 4.54 on his second 40-yard dash attempt at the NFL Scouting Combine. Not the time he was hoping for.
— Dan Hope (@Dan_Hope) February 28, 2026
Hope was not the only person who noticed Tate’s slower 40-time, as Jeff Mueller pointed out that Tate ran slower than expected and suggested that some players might be better off not testing at all.
“Makai Lemon with the weirdo interview movements+not running a 40 and Carnell Tate running two 4.54 40s… Maybe Jordyn Tyson was better off not testing after all.”
Makai Lemon with the weirdo interview movements+not running a 40 and Carnell Tate running two 4.54 40s…
Maybe Jordyn Tyson was better off not testing after all https://t.co/ujPHLIruOE
— Jeff Mueller, PT, DPT (@jmthrivept) February 28, 2026
That has become a trend in recent years; for example, Indiana’s Elijah Sarratt did no on-field work during his time in Indianapolis.
Even still, Sarratt is not expected to be a top pick like Tate is, which makes Tate’s lack of elite speed surprising.
Of course, Tate’s lack of track speed was not a deal-breaker for everyone watching. Cory Kinnan pointed out that Tate’s 40-time did not surprise him at all, and the confirmation of his prior thoughts will not change the way he views Tate when the draft rolls around.
“Have had in my notes since summer scouting that Carnell Tate is a 4.5 athlete. He ran a 4.5. Awesome player, and him confirming his play speed doesn’t change that.”
Have had in my notes since summer scouting that Carnell Tate is a 4.5 athlete. He ran a 4.5. Awesome player and him confirming his play speed doesn’t change that.
— Cory (@fakecorykinnan) February 28, 2026
PFSN’s College Football Wide Receiver Impact metrics ranked Tate at a solid 8th for the 2025 season. So, it’s no wonder that many were caught off guard by the pace of a ‘top-10 receiver’.
Hayden Winks was left surprised: “Carnell Tate at 4.54 is surprisingly slower than expected. When weight adjusted: bottom 11th percentile. My pre-combine comp was George Pickens: 4.47 vs. 4.54 6’3″/195 vs. 6’2″/192.”
Carnell Tate at 4.54 is surprisingly slower than expected. When weight adjusted: bottom 11th percentile.
My pre-combine comp was George Pickens:
4.47 vs. 4.54
6’3″/195 vs. 6’2″/192— Hayden Winks (@HaydenWinks) February 28, 2026
“Carnell Tate’s time in the 40-yard dash was a little slower than I anticipated, but that’s hardly a disqualifier towards him being a top-20 pick,” PFSN’s own Jacob Infante said.
“His size, reliable hands, and ability to win above the rim are all impressive enough to warrant his stock remaining high at this stage.”
Ultimately, everything that happens before the draft is part of a puzzle that all scouts and coaches are trying to put together to take the best player available for their franchise.
Some organizations may care more about Tate’s 40-time than others, which could make where he gets picks on draft day a fascinating thing to follow.
