From Backyard Dreams to Buckeye Destiny: Watching My Son, Carnell Tate, Rise Toward His Legendary Ohio State Legacy
It feels surreal even writing these words: my son, Carnell Tate, is on the cusp of becoming a Buckeye legend. From the very beginning, I’ve watched his journey with a front-row seat—sometimes as his coach, always as his biggest fan, and most importantly, as his father. While the world is just starting to see what he’s capable of, I’ve seen it in his eyes and his heart since he first picked up a football. And now, the kid who once dreamed of Saturdays in the Horseshoe is getting ready to carve his name into Ohio State history.
Watching Carnell grow into the young man he is today has been the most humbling and awe-inspiring experience of my life. From his earliest days, there was something different about him. Even when he was small, his focus was intense, his passion unshakable. Some kids pick up sports as a pastime—Carnell lived it. Football wasn’t just a game to him. It was purpose. It was his way of expressing himself, of finding meaning in movement, and of chasing greatness with every ounce of effort he could give.
Back in the backyard, before anyone outside the family knew his name, we saw the glimpses. The way he ran routes barefoot in the grass, how he stayed out after sunset just to get “one more rep,” and how he studied his favorite players like it was homework. I remember him mimicking the footwork of great receivers, trying to catch passes from awkward angles, and creating imaginary game-winning moments. Those weren’t just daydreams—those were blueprints. He wasn’t playing; he was preparing.
As a parent, you always want the best for your children, but more than that, you want to see them find joy in their journey. With Carnell, football has never been a burden—it’s been the air he breathes. He’s put in countless hours, not because someone made him, but because he wanted to. That discipline, that inner fire, has been there since day one. And as he’s grown, it’s only gotten stronger.
The first time I saw him suit up in high school, I felt pride, sure—but also a kind of calm. I knew this wasn’t just a phase. He belonged out there. Every time he stepped on the field, it was like something clicked. He understood spacing, tempo, leverage—the nuances that take most players years to master. His hands were sure, his routes were sharp, and his vision was almost instinctual. He didn’t just play the game; he read it, like a musician reads sheet music.
And when the offers started coming in—when colleges began to notice what we already knew—it was both thrilling and humbling. Carnell handled the attention with a maturity well beyond his years. He stayed grounded, stayed focused, and stayed hungry. No matter who came knocking, he kept his eyes on the goal. He wasn’t chasing fame. He was chasing legacy.
Choosing Ohio State wasn’t just a football decision. It was a life decision. The history, the culture, the brotherhood—it all fit. And when he committed to the Buckeyes, it felt like destiny. Ohio State didn’t just get a talented wide receiver—they got a leader, a worker, a competitor, and a young man with the kind of character that transforms locker rooms. They got Carnell Tate.
As a father, I know the road hasn’t been easy for him. There have been sacrifices—missed events, early mornings, late nights, sore muscles, mental fatigue, and personal losses that would’ve derailed most young men. But Carnell has carried himself through every storm with resilience and quiet strength. He doesn’t brag. He doesn’t complain. He just puts his head down and works. Every single day.
And that’s why I believe he won’t just wear the scarlet and gray—he’ll elevate it.
I’ve seen how he responds to adversity. I’ve watched him stay behind after practice to work on his routes, even when his body is begging for rest. I’ve watched him speak life into his teammates, take accountability, and demand more from himself than anyone else ever could. Leadership isn’t something you’re born with. It’s something you earn. And Carnell has earned it.
There’s something sacred about Ohio State football. It’s more than just a game—it’s tradition, expectation, legacy. Carnell understands that. He respects it. And I have no doubt he’s ready to add his own chapter to the story. Not because it will be easy, but because he knows greatness never is. He’s not afraid of pressure. He welcomes it. He doesn’t run from challenges. He rises to them.
To see him now, suiting up as a Buckeye, walking through the tunnel, hearing the roar of the crowd—those are moments that hit different when you’ve watched the full journey. From Pop Warner to national recruiting camps, from drills in the rain to national television games, from heartbreak to triumph—it all leads here.
But if there’s one thing I know about Carnell, it’s that this isn’t the finish line. It’s just the beginning.
He’s not satisfied with just making it. He wants to be remembered. He wants to win. He wants to be the guy who shows up when the lights are brightest. He wants to make his teammates better, his coaches proud, and his family honored. And most of all, he wants to leave a legacy that stands the test of time—not just as a football player, but as a man.
That’s what makes him different. That’s what makes me proud beyond words.
I don’t say this lightly—but I believe one day, people will speak Carnell Tate’s name with reverence in Columbus. The same way they talk about the legends of Ohio State past. Because he’s got the tools, the mindset, and the heart to be one of the greats. And it’s not just about what he does with the ball in his hands—it’s about how he carries himself every day. With humility, with hunger, with heart.
There are no shortcuts to greatness. And Carnell knows that. He’s lived it. He’s earned every bit of this moment, and I can’t wait to see where it leads. Whether he’s scoring touchdowns, converting third downs, or leading by example, I know he’ll do it with everything he’s got.
As a father, I couldn’t ask for more. Not because he’s a football star, but because of the kind of person he’s become. The kind who lifts others up. The kind who never gives up. The kind who remembers where he came from and who he represents.
So to every coach who believed in him, to every teammate who battled with him, to every challenge that sharpened him—thank you. And to Ohio State—thank you for believing in my son. I promise you this: you’re getting more than a player. You’re getting a warrior. A leader. A soon-to-be Buckeye legend.
This is just the beginning.
