Last season, the Ohio State Buckeyes had the nation’s top receiving corps, a fact no unbiased observer could dispute. The trio of Jeremiah Smith, Emeka Egbuka, and Carnell Tate was unstoppable in 2024. Despite Egbuka’s departure to the NFL, Ohio State’s wide receiver group is poised to remain elite next fall.
Smith is a known star, but Tate, the Buckeyes’ No. 3 receiver last year, still recorded 52 catches for 733 yards and four touchdowns. Ryan Stano from Scarlet & Game predicts a breakout 2025 for Tate, expecting him to deliver an Egbuka-like performance.
Stano praised Tate’s ability, stating, “His catch radius is impressive, and he can make tough catches look easy. At most programs, he’d be the top receiver, but Ohio State’s depth keeps him lower on the chart. Tate is set to surpass 1,000 yards this season, and double-digit touchdowns wouldn’t be a shock. With Brian Hartline’s pass-heavy approach, Tate will thrive.”
Tate is expected to step into the No. 2 role behind Smith, who led with 1,315 yards and 15 touchdowns last year, while Egbuka still posted 1,011 yards and 10 touchdowns. It’s reasonable to expect Tate to approach Egbuka’s numbers in 2025. Brandon Inniss is likely to take over the No. 3 spot, potentially mirroring Tate’s role from last season.
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