COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Ohio State wide receiver Carnell Tate made a calculated decision at his pro day, opting not to run the 40-yard dash again after posting a 4.53-second time at the NFL combine. The projected top-10 pick said teams haven't expressed concerns about his speed and called the 40-yard dash 'overvalued' in today's NFL.

The former Buckeye only ran routes and caught passes during individual drills, choosing instead to showcase his route-running and ball skills. Tate, ranked No. 7 on ESPN's Big Board, pointed to successful receivers like Puka Nacua and Jaxon Smith-Njigba as examples of pass-catchers who've thrived without elite 40 times. He emphasized that his game translates better when pads are on.

Ohio State coach Ryan Day praised Tate's all-around abilities, calling him a potential No. 1 receiver who can make an immediate impact. Tate has already met with the Cleveland Browns and has upcoming meetings with multiple top-10 teams including the Titans, Saints, Commanders, Giants, and Chiefs. The first-team All-Big Ten selection caught 51 passes for 875 yards and nine touchdowns this past season, demonstrating his production at the collegiate level.