The NFL Combine has evolved into an event where many players skip some or all drills, choosing instead to showcase their skills at pro days. Teams and analysts still examine every Combine result closely. Sports media uses these performances to shape draft coverage for months.
Ohio State wide receiver Carnell Tate joins a long line of Buckeyes star receivers entering the draft. He’s projected as the first receiver selected in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Most mock drafts don’t have him falling past the top-10.
His Combine performance sparked controversy about his 40-yard dash time and actual speed. The dispute created an online battle between two prominent NFL insiders, Adam Schefter and Mike Florio.
The 40-Time Dispute
Tate’s official 40-yard dash time was 4.53 seconds.
The controversy stems from a report by ESPN’s Adam Schefter. He claimed “several NFL executives and GMs on Saturday [had] a 40 time in the range of 4.45-4.47 seconds.” Many teams still use hand-timed stopwatches to evaluate prospects.
NBC Sports’ Mike Florio called out Schefter’s report. He suggested many view the “report” as “an effort to do a favor for Tate’s agent, Drew Rosenhaus.”
“It’s part of the gig, and it’s something that — to the trained eye — is instantly recognizable,” Florio wrote.
Florio accused Schefter of presenting agent-influenced information as fact. He referenced Schefter’s past controversial tweets, including when he proclaimed Deshaun Watson’s innocence after avoiding indictment in 2022.
He also cited Schefter’s one-sided coverage of domestic violence allegations against former NFL running back Dalvin Cook.
Schefter Fires Back
Schefter didn’t stay quiet. He responded with eight screenshots showing conversations about Tate’s 40-time. The hand-timed results ranged from 4.45 to 4.52 seconds.
Just to prove you’re wrong, again. pic.twitter.com/6xmfFhotqy
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 4, 2026
And…. pic.twitter.com/pjEbqPppgh
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 4, 2026
What’s Tate’s Real Speed?
The official Combine time of 4.53 seconds remains the best measuring stick. That time ranked 27th among wide receivers at the event.
Hand times can be accurate, but the Combine’s electronic timing is the standard. No other 40-yard dash times faced similar scrutiny, which supports Florio’s claim about narrative-shaping.
Former NFL receiver Chad “Ochocinco” Johnson grew tired of the debate. He pointed out that “football isn’t played in a straight line.”
Johnson backed Tate as a clear top-five pick regardless of his Combine drill results.
Tate’s College Production
Here are Tate’s college statistics:
| Year | Games | Receptions | Yards | TDs |
| 2023 | 13 | 18 | 264 | 1 |
| 2024 | 15 | 52 | 733 | 4 |
| 2025 | 11 | 51 | 875 | 2 |
