Ohio State WR Carnell Tate Headlines Buckeyes 'Really Good Batch' of Freshmen
Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Carnell Tate showed potential in the spring of being the next great pass-catcher in Columbus.
The only problem is a backlogged wide receiver room that could limit his playing time in year one, which could be the case for many freshmen who are coming in learning the ins and outs of college football. Head coach Ryan Day named a few eye-catching freshmen at Big Ten Media Days Wednesday who are making a smooth transition to the next level.
"We recruited a really good batch," Day said. "Carnell Tate, I guess is still a freshman. Although, all those guys who came in mid-year, I told them they're not a freshman anymore at their exit meetings coming out of the spring practice. So, all those guys are now considered sophomores in my eyes."
As for the players that joined the program in the summer, Day said they "have a lot to learn" ahead of the fall. Among Ohio State's 13 freshmen summer enrollees were quarterback Lincoln Kienholz, wide receiver Brandon Inniss, defensive lineman Jason Moore, linebacker Arvell Reese and edge rusher Joshua Mickens.
"I got to give Lincoln credit," Day said. "He's coming from South Dakota, doesn't have a huge background at playing quarterback, but he's jumped right in, hasn't been overwhelmed. He's athletic. He's got a long way to go, but he's got a bright future ahead of him. Arvell Reese is very, very talented. He's got a lot to learn. For a lot of the guys that came in the summer, they have a lot to learn. Calvin Simpson-Hunt, he's got a really bright future ahead of him.
"I hate to sit here and tell them they're going to be great players because they have to put all the work in to get there, but when you're looking at their ability level and some of the guys that have come in, we're excited about all of them."
Aside from anomalies such as running back TreVeyon Henderson in 2021, freshmen have generally seen limited playing time in their first season in Columbus, waiting their turn and seeing increased snap counts in their second or third year. Though he failed to name names, Day thinks there's a few that could see the field in year one.
"It's hard to pick one out because my phone's going to ring and someone's parent's going to ask me why I didn't mention their son," Day said. "But, I think some of those guys are going to have a chance to get on the field this year."
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