Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic

Ohio State junior wide receiver Carnell Tate is the Dan S. Petty Scholar-Athlete for the Buckeyes participating in the 2025 College Football Playoff Quarterfinal at the 90th Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic.
 
Few, if any, student-athletes blend academic and athletic excellence quite like Tate. A sport industry major, Tate was a Big Ten Conference Distinguished Scholar for earning a 3.7 or better grade-point average in the 2024-25 academic year. He is also a two-time Academic All-Big Ten honoree and has been named an Ohio State Scholar-Athlete three times.
 
On the playing field, Tate is one of the best wide receivers in the country. A first-team All-Big Ten selection by both the conference head coaches and media panel votes, he entered the 2025 College Football Playoff Quarterfinal at the 90th Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic with 48 receptions for 838 yards and nine touchdowns in 10 games. A trademark of Tate's play has been his explosiveness and ability to create big plays. His 11 receptions of 30 or more yards are sixth-highest in the country. He's also been at his best in Ohio State's biggest games. Tate caught critical touchdown passes in wins over No. 1 Texas on Aug. 30 and No. 15 Michigan on Nov. 29. Those scores came from 40 and 49 yards, respectively. Tate is averaging an impressive 37.1 yards per touchdown reception.
 
From Chicago, Tate entered the postseason having played 38 games over his three-year career and had caught at least one pass in 36 of those games. In the 2025 season-opener against Texas, he surpassed 1,000 career receiving yards and entered the postseason with 118 receptions for 1,835 yards and 14 touchdowns. And he also has a notable history of playing in the Classic: the 90th edition is his third Classic. In the 89th Classic win over  Texas, Tate caught a then-career-high seven passes for 87 yards to help guide his Buckeyes to a CFP Semifinal win en route to winning the CFP National Championship.