Whoever drafts former Ohio State wide receiver Carnell Tate isn't just getting a wide receiver; they are getting a fighter.Tate has several superpowers in his game, but what stands above the rest is his mental toughness. Tate's life was rocked three years ago when his mother, Ashley Griggs, was murdered in a drive-by shooting just blocks away from where Tate grew up.Tate had to deal with the loss of his best friend and mother while trying to navigate life as a young man and a budding superstar on the field. That's a lot to juggle for a grown adult, let alone and 18 year old kid.ESPN's Elizabeth Merrill published a story that detailed the last three years of Tate's life and how he dealt with everything that he had to.

"He never quit on himself or lost any confidence … I think his mom played a big part in that."Wide receiver Carnell Tate is confident, intelligent and ready to star in the NFL. His late mother made sure of it ❤️(via @MerrillLiz) https://t.co/VxMdoNtkcp— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) April 17, 2026A look at the potential Browns targetIn her story, she explained how Tate, who is introverted and to himself by nature, turned to football at the lowest point of his life. He lived in his playbook and relied on his teammates to hold him close when he needed it.

Off the field, it was hard enough for Tate; on the field, it wasn't much easier.Tate, who came out of high school as one of the best players in the country, joined a team with several other of the "best players in the country." His roommate his freshman year was Brandon Inniss, who was also a top 10 receiver in the country coming out of high school. Greatness surrounded Tate, but he fought his way onto the field.

He finished his first season in Columbus with 18 catches for 264 total yards after appearing in all 13 of Ohio State's games. Then, in year two with Emeka Egbuka and Jeremiah Smith in front of him, Tate fought for his keep and finished the year with over 700 yards receiving.His third and final year in Columbus was his best year. He lost three games due to injury but still amassed 875 yards and nine touchdowns with zero recorded drops.

All of that was done as he played second fiddle to Smith again.Cleveland has the opportunity to select a wide receiver that not only possesses everything that is necessary to play at an extremely high level, but has the mental toughness to never give up, even when the days are darkest. As Tate told all of the NFL at the Combine, "(I) had to learn how to fight. That's all I've been doing is fighting."This article originally appeared on Browns Wire: Browns WR prospect Carnell Tate has had to "fight" for everything