PITTSBURGH – Carnell Tate wasn't sure where he'd be picked when he decided to make the trip to the Steel City for the NFL Draft.
The Ohio State receiver said his only expectation was to be picked in the first round, although draft analysts suspected he wouldn't have to wait too long before his name was called.
The Titans surprised Tate by picking him fourth overall in the first round here on Thursday night, which admittedly even surpassed his hopes.
With a smile, Tate said he wants to prove the Titans right for valuing him.
"I'm very excited, I'm very humbled, and I'm very thankful to the Titans organization for believing in me," Tate said after being picked. "It makes me very excited. The team believes in me, and they trust in me to improve the organization."
Tate (6-2, 192) caught 121 passes for 1,872 yards with 14 touchdowns in three seasons at Ohio State while playing in 39 games, with 27 starts. He caught 51 passes for 875 yards (17.2-yard average) and nine touchdowns in 2025.
Tate was a second-team Associated Press All-American in 2025, and a first-team All-Big Ten Conference performer.
In Tennessee, he wants to establish himself like he did in college.
"Just going out there and earning the team's trust," Tate said. "Going out there and making plays and being a reliable target for the organization.
"I'm ready to go play fast and play violent and earn the trust of the organization. I am thankful for the organization and I'm going to bring it all to the table."
Tate was a playmaker for the Buckeyes, where he started 15 games for the school's national championship team in 2024. Tate followed up that season with another big year, and after running a 4.53 at the NFL Combine, the waiting game began for the NFL Draft. It was just a matter of when he'd be picked.
Tate led the country with five receiving touchdowns with a throw depth of 40-plus yards in 2025, per Pro Football Focus. Per PFF, he also led the Big 10 with six receiving touchdowns on contested targets.
During the pre-draft process, Tate made a visit to Nashville to meet with the Titans, when he had lunch with quarterback Cam Ward and offensive coordinator Brian Daboll.
"I talked to Cam, a great conversation with G-Lew (receivers coach Greg Lewis), Brian Daboll, Coach (Robert) Saleh," Tate said. "It was great.
"G-Lew is my guy. … I chopped it up with Cam a little bit, too, he just wished me well. I was able to sit down with him during lunch, and also coach Daboll. He believes in his guys, and he ultimately believes in me. I am thankful for him, and he is a great OC, great play-caller."
Tate hopes to make a difference in Tennessee, alongside Ward and others.
Tate is scheduled to fly to Nashville on Friday morning, and he'll be introduced at a press conference on Friday afternoon.
"I know Cam is one of the elite quarterbacks in the league," Tate said, "and he's only continuing to get better.
"I'm looking forward to (the next step). I'm looking forward to going out there and making plays and helping the organization."
Tennessee Titans WR Carnell Tate was in Pittsburgh to hear his name called as the 4th overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Ohio State wide receiver Carnell Tate arrives prior to the 2026 NFL Draft on Thursday, April 23, 2026 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Cooper Neill/NFL)
Ohio State wide receiver Carnell Tate poses for a photo during the 2026 NFL Draft on Thursday, April 23, 2026 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Cooper Neill/NFL)
Ohio State wide receiver Carnell Tate poses for a photo during the 2026 NFL Draft on Thursday, April 23, 2026 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Cooper Neill/NFL)
Ohio State wide receiver Carnell Tate poses for a photo during the 2026 NFL Draft on Thursday, April 23, 2026 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Cooper Neill/NFL)
Ohio State wide receiver Carnell Tate celebrates after being selected fourth overall during during the 2026 NFL Draft on Thursday, April 23, 2026 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Mikey Owens/NFL)
Ohio State wide receiver Carnell Tate celebrates after being selected fourth overall by the Tennessee Titans during during the 2026 NFL Draft on Thursday, April 23, 2026 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Mikey Owens/NFL)
Ohio State wide receiver Carnell Tate celebrates after being selected fourth overall by the Tennessee Titans during during the 2026 NFL Draft on Thursday, April 23, 2026 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Mikey Owens/NFL)
Ohio State wide receiver Carnell Tate puts on a hat after being chosen by the Tennessee Titans with the fourth overall pick during the first round of the NFL football draft, Thursday, April 23, 2026, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
Ohio State wide receiver Carnell Tate is selected third overall by the Tennessee Titans during the 2026 NFL Draft on Thursday, April 23, 2026 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Lauren Leigh Bacho/NFL)
Ohio State wide receiver Carnell Tate is selected third overall by the Tennessee Titans during the 2026 NFL Draft on Thursday, April 23, 2026 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Lauren Leigh Bacho/NFL)
Ohio State wide receiver Carnell Tate poses for a photo on stage after being selected third overall by the Tennessee Titans during the 2026 NFL Draft on Thursday, April 23, 2026 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Lauren Leigh Bacho/NFL)
The Tennessee Titans select Carnell Tate 4th overall at the 2026 NFL Draft on April 23, 2026 in Pittsburgh, PA. Photo By Jessie Rogers/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans select Carnell Tate 4th overall at the 2026 NFL Draft on April 23, 2026 in Pittsburgh, PA. Photo By Jessie Rogers/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans select Carnell Tate 4th overall at the 2026 NFL Draft on April 23, 2026 in Pittsburgh, PA. Photo By Jessie Rogers/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans select Carnell Tate 4th overall at the 2026 NFL Draft on April 23, 2026 in Pittsburgh, PA. Photo By Jessie Rogers/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans select Carnell Tate 4th overall at the 2026 NFL Draft on April 23, 2026 in Pittsburgh, PA. Photo By Jessie Rogers/Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans select Carnell Tate 4th overall at the 2026 NFL Draft on April 23, 2026 in Pittsburgh, PA. Photo By Jessie Rogers/Tennessee Titans
The Titans selected Carnell Tate in the first round of Thursday night's NFL Draft. Tate was taken with the fourth overall pick.
Ohio State plays Nebraska at Ohio Stadium on Saturday, October, 26, 2024 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Kirk Irwin/Ohio State Athletics)
Ohio State plays Western Kentucky University at Ohio Stadium on Saturday, September 16, 2023.
Ohio State receiver Carnell Tate plays against Akron during an NCAA college football game Saturday, Aug. 31, 2024, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete)
Ohio State receiver receiver Carnell Tate, right, catches a touchdown pass over Nebraska defensive back Malcolm Hartzog during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete)
Ohio State receiver Carnell Tate plays against Texas during an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete)
Ohio State receiver Carnell Tate, right, catches a touchdown pass against Grambling State defensive back Tyrell Raby (5) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete)
Ohio State receiver Carnell Tate plays against Ohio during an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete)
Ohio State wide receiver Carnell Tate (17) runs with the ball against the Washington during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 27, 2025, in Seattle. (AP Photo/John Froschauer)
Ohio State receiver Carnell Tate plays against Ohio State during an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 4, 2025, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete)
Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Carnell Tate celebrates after scoring a touchdown during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Michigan, Saturday, Nov. 29, 2025, in Ann Arbor, Mich. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)
Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Carnell Tate catches a pass for a touchdown during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Michigan, Saturday, Nov. 29, 2025, in Ann Arbor, Mich. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)
Ohio State's Carnell Tate catches a touchdown pass during the first half of the Big Ten championship NCAA college football game against Indiana in Indianapolis, Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
