Eric Boggs
Ohio State’s path toward another national championship run has been shaped as much by resilience as talent, and no two players embody that better right now than Carnell Tate and Jeremiah Smith. Tate was in the middle of the best stretch of his young career through Ohio State’s first eight games, collecting 39 receptions for 711 yards and seven touchdowns before an injury ahead of the Purdue game abruptly stalled his momentum. Rather than push through discomfort, Tate and the Buckeye training staff made the decision to shut him down temporarily, a move he now credits for allowing him to regain full strength at exactly the right time of the season.
Tate missed the Purdue, UCLA, and Rutgers games but returned feeling like himself again following Ohio State’s road win over Michigan. In Ann Arbor, he reminded everyone of his explosiveness with four catches for 45 yards and a touchdown, punctuated by a memorable Paul Bunyan celebration that quickly became part of Buckeye lore. While Indiana limited him to similar numbers in the Big Ten Championship Game, Tate said that loss sharpened the team’s focus, reinforcing the simple truth that elite games demand elite production, especially on the scoreboard.
Now healthy, rested, and energized, Tate is embracing what could be his final postseason run in Columbus before making a decision on the NFL Draft, where he is widely viewed as a potential top-10 selection. His confidence is unmistakable as Ohio State enters the College Football Playoff, with Tate openly expressing his belief that the Buckeyes are on track to repeat as national champions. For a roster driven by championship expectations, that conviction carries weight inside the locker room.
Much of Tate’s optimism centers on quarterback Julian Sayin, whose steady presence has earned the full trust of the receiving corps. Tate sees parallels between Sayin’s current growth and the breakout postseason run Will Howard delivered a year ago. According to Tate, Sayin’s composure never wavers, whether in victory or defeat, and his ability to manage the game while delivering elite throws gives Ohio State the stability required to thrive in playoff pressure.
If Tate is poised for a statement postseason, he believes teammate Jeremiah Smith is primed for something even bigger, particularly in the upcoming Cotton Bowl against Smith’s hometown Miami Hurricanes. Smith’s season has quietly included its own major obstacle: a serious rectus femoris strain that sidelined him for nearly a month and nearly kept him from suiting up against Michigan. His determination to play through the injury, even without full health or full practice reps, resulted in one of the most important touchdowns of the rivalry game.
Head coach Ryan Day has been candid about just how remarkable Smith’s recovery was, praising his toughness and mental resolve in getting himself game-ready under difficult circumstances. With both Smith and Tate now fully participating in practice, Day says the offense is finding its rhythm again, especially in the passing game, where timing and confidence are returning at a critical moment.
Smith’s return to full strength comes as Ohio State prepares to face Miami in a game layered with personal significance. A Miami native, Smith has longstanding connections on the Hurricanes’ roster and understands the weight of the matchup. Day expects Smith to be “wired,” knowing the emotions and intensity he brings when facing players he once trained and competed alongside in South Florida.
The Buckeyes’ mentality entering the Cotton Bowl reflects the collective hunger of a championship-caliber team hitting stride at the perfect moment. With Tate healthy, Smith surging, and Sayin commanding the offense, Ohio State is once again aligned physically and mentally for a deep playoff run. As Tate put it simply, the mission now is to dominate whoever stands in front of them — and the timing could not be better.
