Five-star WR Carnell Tate to Ohio State: 'I can follow the greats before me'

Carnell Tate‘s decision is in.

The On3 Consensus five-star wide receiver originally from Chicago committed to Ohio State, which narrowly edged out Tennessee for Tate’s commitment. Head Buckeye Ryan Day and ace wide receivers coach Brian Hartline led the charge for the Bradenton (Fla.) IMG standout and closed strong with the nation’s No. 15 overall player.

“I built a great relationship with the staff and the offense fit me well,” Tate told On3. ” They can develop me and get me to the next level. That’s one of the most important things to me — if the offense doesn’t fit you, you can’t get the ball and showcase your talent to get you to the next level Ryan Day helped develop first-round picks like Chris (Olave) and Garrett (Wilson), and he thinks I can go and be a first-round (pick) over there at Ohio State. It definitely helps to know what they’re capable of doing and knowing I can follow behind the greats before me.”

It became a two-team race down the stretch for the blue-chipper originally from the Midwest. At OT7 in Las Vegas, Tate told On3 he was still undecided and no team had taken a lead in the recruitment as the decision date approached. The Buckeyes undoubtedly pressed the right buttons — and at the right time — to secure Tate’s commitment.

“I can step onto the scene and compete right away and help Ohio State get a natty,” the 6-foot-2, 180-pound Tate continued. “I have a good relationship with those guys and talk to them almost every day, and we continue to build (our relationship) every day. I’m not big into making scenes, so they’ve been playing it cool and keeping it real with me.”

Tate is the No. 3-rated wide receiver on the On3 Consensus, a complete and equally weighted industry-generated average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.