Ohio State star wide receiver Carnell Tate said during his pro day on Wednesday that former Buckeye quarterback and current Pittsburgh Steeler Will Howard is probably rooting for him to land in the Steel City.
"Oh, Will isn't giving me no tips. He's probably going to root for me to come with him to Pittsburgh," Tate said .
In 11 games last year, Tate recorded 51 receptions for 875 yards (17.2 average) and nine touchdowns. With Howard as his quarterback in 2024, Tate caught 52 passes for 733 yards (14.1 average) and four touchdowns.
"I'm happy for him," Tate said of Howard. "I wish him nothing but the best. Love that guy to death."
Tate, who stands at 6-foot-2, 192 pounds, ran a 4.53 in the 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine. Tate has 31 3/4 inch arms and 10 1/4 inch hands.
Tate did not run a 40 at his pro day.
"I think I'm a great football player," Tate said "My speed … the combine is one time, but ultimately I'm a great football player. When you put the pads on, it's another level."
Ohio State wide receiver Carnell Tate during his pro day on March 25, 2026. — Ed Thompson / Steelers Now
The Chicago native was named second-team Associated Press All-American, first-team All-Big Ten Conference and first-team Academic All-American.
Tate is projected to be a top 10 pick, so unless the Steelers trade up for him, he won't reunite with Howard in Pittsburgh.
"Ascending "Z" receiver who continues to step out from the shadow of Ohio State teammate Jeremiah Smith. Tate has good size but would benefit from more play strength. He builds momentum quickly on intermediate and deep routes, utilizing speed and tempo to pressure cornerbacks," Lance Zierlein of NFL.com wrote in his scouting report on Tate. "He can win over the top on verticals or separate over the first two levels with route savvy and separation burst. Tate tracks throws at top speed and makes his adjustments to run under them. He combines timing, body control and catch radius to dominate air space and consistently lands on the winning side of contested catches. Pass catching comes effortlessly with soft, strong hands and he consistently works back on throws to keep ballhawks from hawking. Tate displays rare polish for a player his age and has the talent to become a heralded pro within his first three seasons."
This article originally appeared on Steelers Now : Will Howard 'Rooting' for Steelers to Land Ohio State Star WR in Draft
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