The Ohio State receiver had a breakout performance against Nebraska

The Ohio State Buckeye were on the brink of a potential upset in Week 9 against Nebraska Cornhuskersbut offensive coordinator Chip Kelly had an unsung hero who led the Buckeyes to victory.

Former five-star wide receiver Carnell Tate burst onto the scene Saturday, finishing with a career-high 102 yards on four catches. He then led all Ohio State pass catchers in receiving yards against the Cornhuskers for the first time in his college career.

A dynamic double punch from Ohio State running backs Quinshon Judkins and TreVeyon Henderson they were shockingly quiet against Nebraskawhich allowed the highly touted receiver to shine in Week 9. Tate got the Buckeyes on the board with an electric 40-yard touchdown late in the first quarter.

The young winger didn’t see much action for most of the season, as the sophomore was overshadowed by Emeka Egbuka and Jeremiah Smith. The second-year pass catcher recorded 19 catches for 334 yards and two touchdowns in 2024. While he may be the third option in the Buckeyes’ passing attack, Tate has shown he is a talented receiver.

After finishing his freshman season with 17 catches and 260 yards, many believed the Chicago native would finally step into a larger role at Ohio State in 2024. However, quarterback Will Howard favored both Egbuka and Smith this season.

While he may be a third option for the Buckeyes, his combination of smooth route running and explosive playmaking skills have allowed him to play a significant role on offense this season.