The Bill and Doug Show: Ohio State Football Talk Episode: Carnell Tate’s 40 Time and Why He Is the Best WR in the 2026 NFL Draft
Date: March 5, 2026
Host: Doug Lesmerises
Guest: Cam White (@RouteUniverse9)

Episode Overview

This episode features host Doug Lesmerises in conversation with receiver analyst Cam White (known as Route Universe on social media). They break down Carnell Tate as an NFL Draft prospect—from his controversial 40-yard dash at the Combine, to his film, route running, hands, and draft value. Cam details why he believes Carnell Tate is the top wide receiver in the 2026 class and provides expert perspective on Tate’s skills, NFL projection, and how he stacks up against both teammates and other receivers in the class.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Meet the Analyst: Cam White's Background

• Cam’s Football Cred:
  • Played Division II and arena league football
  • Recent playing stint in Mexico
  • Trains receivers, inspired by working with NFL-level trainers
  • Native Ohioan and Browns fan
  • Handles: @RouteUniverse9 (Twitter), Route Universe (Instagram)
  • “It's universal. All routes are universal. They go into each other.” (Cam, 02:22)

The 40-Yard Dash Controversy

• Carnell Tate’s Official Time: 4.53 seconds
• Hand-Timed Rumors: Some (Adam Schefter, etc.) said teams clocked him closer to 4.45–4.46
• Cam’s Take:
  • Straight-line speed is overrated for WRs; “It's functional speed... he looks like he runs a four, four running routes. That's what you want. I will take that anytime, any day.” (Cam, 05:12)
  • The 40-yard dash stance is unnatural for receivers; it “doesn’t really matter to me.”

Tate’s Game: Speed, Nuance, and Role

• Is Speed a Concern?
  • Cam: "We can wish that about anybody...but it is what it is. He's got good height, he's got good length, and he has good speed." (Cam, 05:42)
  • Functional speed > track speed. Tate is impactful due to his route nuance, not just straight-line burst.
• Not a One-Trick Pony:
  • “It is not raw speed that is the first trait...it’s not like his game is predicated on only running by guys.” (Doug, 05:53)

Comparisons to NFL Stars

• Who Does Carnell Tate Remind You Of?
  • “Devonte Adams...I see a lot of his route nuance, releases and his ability to be a consistent catching the football... Another one is AJ Green, mainly because of the size and the frame and the catch radius.” (Cam, 06:49–07:18)
• Summary: Not pure burners, but possess a complete receiver package.

The 2026 Receiver Draft Class: Strength & Standouts

• Is This a Good Class?
  • Cam: “It’s better than what people think...I think this class possibly [could be] one of the best we’ve seen in recent years.” (08:07)
• Tate vs. Makai Lemon & Others:
  • “Carnell Tate is, by far and wide, the best receiver in this class.” (Cam, 08:38)
• Why Tate is the Top WR: “He’s able to do a lot of everything... The best receivers have a way of just being finessed, but also being physical, turning it on and off when need be.” (Cam, 09:40)

Versatility and Skillset

• Role Flexibility:
  • “He does a lot of things well,” including both deep threats and over-the-middle work. (Cam, 10:13)
  • Not pigeonholed—he can function as a #1 WR.
• Context Matters:
  • Tate could be a true “X” for Cleveland or fit other roles depending on the team.

Impact of Having Jeremiah Smith as a Teammate

• Does Playing Across from a Star Affect Evaluation?
  • “Coverages still need to be beat...it’s hard to really key in on just one guy...I can’t really look at saying, oh, he's on the opposite side of Jeremiah Smith. I can’t really grade him as a number one—that’s a fallacy.” (Cam, 12:44–13:15)
• What Coverages Did He See?
  • “I saw a lot of man to man... sometimes the safety did go over the top.” (Cam, 13:39)

Route Running and Technical Skill

• Route Running:
  • “He’s absolutely good at it... there’s not many indicators [in his body language]... I really feel like, as long as to improve, he can be a top 10 to 12 route running in the league. I truly believe.” (Cam, 15:41–16:19)
• Why are OSU WRs So Polished?
  • “I don’t think it’s a coincidence at all...it comes down to coaching and who they train with.” (Cam, 16:41)
• Releases Off the Line:
  • “I, to be honest with you, want to see a little bit more. He does have technique. I just want to continue to see it grow.” (Cam, 17:07–17:27)
• Comparison: Cites seeing a lot of Devonte Adams in Tate’s finesse game.

Hands and Ball Skills

• Hands: The Defining Trait
  • “They are, like, simultaneously, like, powerful but also pillowy.” (Doug, 17:39)
  • “Very few [drops]... It’s just not what he does. ... That you talking about how they're strong but also soft like pillows—is perfect.” (Cam, 18:34)
• What Makes Great Hands?
  • “You’re reliable. ... I do think he has the best hands [in the draft] ... because he doesn’t have any focus drops...he’s attacking the ball consistently ... looking the football in.” (Cam, 19:45–20:27)
• Coaching Out “Focus Drops”:
  • “It’s an epidemic in football right now...I think as long as you believe in your coaching staff...you still could get over that.” (Cam, 20:39–20:54)

Performance Post-Injury

• Was He Limited?
  • “I can’t say for certain, but I would say it’s possible... but it obviously didn’t stop him from playing it then. (Cam, 22:14–22:29)

NFL Draft Value & Team Fit

• Draft Worthiness:
  • “If you like a guy, you go get him, whether it’s at number three, number two, number four...” (Cam, 23:12)
  • “I don’t feel like it would ever be an overdraft to get him at three, four, and so on.” (Cam, 23:45)
• Best Fit for Browns:
  • “No doubt about it.” (Cam on Browns drafting him at 6, 23:53)
  • “Having a guy that reliable, that doesn’t drop footballs is something the Browns have not seen in many years.” (Cam, 24:06)

Best Routes and Deep Threat Ability

• Strongest Route?
  • “His deep threat ability is really slept on...he excels at running comebacks, because he’s able to sell like he’s running a fade or a go ball and the way he’s able to snap his hips down and get out of the route is ridiculous.” (Cam, 25:34)
• You Don’t Need Blazing Speed:
  • “You don’t have to run a 4:3 to be a deep threat.” (Doug, 26:02)

Looking Ahead: Jeremiah Smith’s Future

• NFL Prospect Next Year?
  • “Beyond an elite prospect...The route nuance he has is undeniable already and he’s still raw. And that’s the scariest thing ... for college football and ... his future in the NFL.” (Cam, 26:42)

Brief Takes on Other Prospects

• Omar Cooper (Indiana):
  • “I think he’s the best receiver on Indiana...extremely physical ... reliable on a screen game. ... Every single screen I saw, it was positive yards.” (Cam, 29:10)
• Denzel Boston (Washington):
  • “I love that he’s reliable catching the football, strong hands and the ability in the scramble drill—he is a menace at that.” (Cam, 30:09)
• Chris Brazil (Tennessee):
  • “He’s 6’5''...never seen that tall of a receiver run routes like he’s 6’1''...he could slide into the early first round.” (Cam, 30:49)

Notable Quotes & Timestamps

• On Tate’s Game Speed:

  • “When you’re watching Carnell tape ... he has functional speed. ... I will take that anytime, any day.” — Cam, 05:12

• Adams/AJ Green Hybrid:

  • “I see a lot of [Devonte Adams’] route nuance... Another one is AJ Green, mainly because of the size and the frame and the catch radius.” — Cam, 06:49–07:18

• Best in Class:

  • “Carnell Tate, in my opinion, is by far and wide the best receiver in this class.” — Cam, 08:38

• Tate as Complete WR:

  • “He does everything well. ... He does not have a set skill set you can just place on him.” — Cam, 09:40

• On Drops:

  • “Very few [drops]. It’s not prevalent in his game. ... That you talking about how they’re strong, but also soft like pillows—is perfect.” — Cam, 18:34

• Draft Willingness:

  • “If you like a guy, you go get him ... I don’t feel like it would ever be an overdraft to get him at three, four, and so on.” — Cam, 23:12/23:45

• Best Route:

  • “He excels at running comebacks, because he’s able to sell like he’s running a fade or a go ball ... It’s beautiful.” — Cam, 25:34

Key Timestamps

• 02:45 – Cam’s background in football, training receivers, and “Route Universe”
• 05:07 – Discussion about Carnell Tate’s 40-yard dash and why it doesn’t matter much
• 06:49 – Cam’s NFL comparables for Carnell Tate (Davante Adams, AJ Green)
• 08:38 – Declaring Tate as the clear-cut #1 receiver in the draft class
• 15:41 – In-depth route running analysis; why Tate is so polished
• 17:07 – On Tate’s releases and potential for growth
• 18:34 – Hands and reliability—what sets Tate apart
• 23:12 – Draft value and team fit for Carnell Tate (including Browns)
• 25:34 – Tate’s strongest routes and deep threat ability
• 26:42 – Jeremiah Smith’s NFL projection
• 29:10 – Omar Cooper breakdown
• 30:09 – Denzel Boston breakdown
• 30:49 – Chris Brazil breakdown
• 32:24 – Cam’s 30-second pitch for Tate as a franchise pick

Tone & Language

Conversation is energetic, enthusiastic, and highly knowledgable, with Doug asking probing questions and highlighting fan perspectives, and Cam offering detailed film analysis with clear, confident explanations.

Summary

This episode is a must for Buckeyes fans, Browns hopefuls, and draftniks looking for a detailed, expert-led, big-picture take on Carnell Tate and the 2026 WR class. Cam White names Tate the best receiver in the draft, praises his all-around skills, and gives ample evidence from film work. Highlights include clear takes on how Tate’s combine speed is overplayed, his comparison to all-pro receivers, technical notes on his route running and hands, and the importance of OSU’s coaching pipeline. The episode closes with quick looks at other notable receivers, but Carnell Tate’s projection as a versatile, pro-ready, “do-it-all” #1 receiver is the central message.