Carnell Tate arrives on set with a Snickers ice cream chain around his neck and a chill message to go with it. The Ohio State wideout is in Dallas knocking out brand work while the NFL draft bears down, and the campaign he is fronting is designed to, in his words, chill the hot takes that have popped up about his game.
Tate tells Rich he has already taken five of seven scheduled visits. The tour started in Cleveland, then rolled through Kansas City, Baltimore, Tennessee, and New Orleans. The Commanders and Giants are still ahead. Rich notes that Cleveland sits right up the road from Columbus and that the fan base would be thrilled to keep him in state. Tate acknowledges the proximity but stays neutral, saying he is comfortable wherever the process lands him.
The two run through what each stop looked like. The Titans were the only team with players in the building, which is how Tate met Cam Ward, who told him to enjoy the ride because it only happens once. Tate missed Lamar in Baltimore and Chris Olave in New Orleans because new coaching staffs had not called players back yet. When Rich presses him on where he needs to improve, Tate offers press coverage, noting there is very little college film of him getting jammed at the line.
The Michigan section runs long. Rich, a Michigan grad, tries to get Tate to say the word Michigan. Tate refuses and calls them team up north. Rich counters by reading the final score of the national title game out loud. Tate pulls out his gold pants, the traditional prize Ohio State players receive for beating Michigan, and Rich concedes the rivalry runs deep enough to respect the bit.
They also address the 40 time, which became a talking point after Tate ran in the 4.5 range. Brandon Beane had said on the NFL Network broadcast that he would let Tate fall. Rich pushes back by citing Terrell Davis, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, and Puka Nacua as examples of receivers whose tape outran their stopwatch. Tate says that is exactly why the Snickers partnership made sense.
The Ohio State receiver room stays close. Coach Brian Hartline built a group chat that still includes Terry McLaurin, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Emeka Egbuka, and Chris Olave. The most recent message was congratulating Smith-Njigba on his new contract. Rich tries to get added. Tate politely declines.
Before signing off, Tate confirms he will be in Pittsburgh for the draft in a suit that will have no maize and blue lining anywhere on it.
Watch the full interview with Carnell Tate on The Rich Eisen Show, streaming live on Disney+ weekdays Noon-3PM ET.
Adapted from the original segment on The Rich Eisen Show. How we cover the show.