Carnell Tate Out Again for Ohio State Against UCLA

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Ohio State wide receiver Carnell Tate will miss his second consecutive game due to injury when the Buckeyes face UCLA on Saturday, November 15. A school spokesperson confirmed the news, stating it is a precautionary measure.

Tate, who missed Ohio State’s 34-10 victory over Purdue on November 8, is considered a projected first-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. He has made 39 receptions for 711 yards and seven touchdowns this season, ranking second on the team behind teammate Jeremiah Smith.

The injury issue arose during warm-ups before the Purdue game, according to Ohio State head coach Ryan Day. Day indicated that Tate could have played, but the team opted to be cautious. “Carnell, we felt like he was gonna be OK to play, but when he went through warm-ups, he just felt something there, so we just wanted to be really careful,” Day explained after the Purdue game.

Ohio State’s decision to hold Tate out against UCLA might be strategic. The Bruins are currently 3-6 and the Buckeyes hope to secure a win to improve their record to 10-0 before upcoming challenging games against Rutgers and Michigan.

Sources report that Tate’s injury remains a short-term concern, and he is expected to return soon. Meanwhile, Jeremiah Smith has stepped up in Tate’s absence, maintaining the effectiveness of the receiving corps.

With key matchups approaching, including a likely Big Ten Championship event against Indiana, Ohio State aims to ensure Tate is fully recovered before facing tougher opponents.