The Ohio State football program had a very strong NFL Combine this year. Several players were able to improve their draft stock with really strong performances. Sonny Styles even had a record-setting performance while in Indianapolis. Quite frankly, it was the best-case scenario for a lot of Buckeyes.
Carnell Tate, who is projected to be a top-10 pick, ran a slower-than-expected 40-yard dash time. Initially, he was clocked at 4.54. Then, it was lowered to 4.52. That was well outside the top 10 when it comes to receivers who ended up running the 40-yard dash.
While this is something that won't take Tate out of being a top-15 pick, it is something that could concern teams. However, some NFL GMs have actually clocked him at numbers that were lower than the official time that was released during that drill.
Ohio State receiver Carnell Tate gets help from some NFL GMs
According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, some GMs actually clocked Tate around the 4.45-4.47 range. That would show that he still has enough explosion to get open in intermediate routes. Tate proved that he is a premier deep threat when he was with the Ohio State Buckeyes.
Tate helped Ohio State score a boatload of touchdowns over the last three years. His size allows him to catch jump balls and can really be a threat in the red zone. He caught nine touchdowns last season, and he even missed three games at the end of the season due to an injury.
Tate didn't have a record-breaking performance like some other Buckeyes, but he still had a pretty solid week. He will run the 40-yard dash again during Ohio State's Pro Day, which will give him a chance to improve on that number. That's when most Buckeyes end up running blazing-fast times.
Ohio State will have its Pro Day right before the NFL Draft to help give scouts and GMs a closer look at the prospects they could be taking.