Denzel Burke believes one young Buckeye will soon carve out a future as a first-round pick in the NFL Draft.

The star defensive back for Ohio State met with the media Tuesday to discuss bowl practices and the upcoming Cotton Bowl matchup with Missouri. Burke was eventually asked about the young group of wide receivers, and he admitted one has stood out to him as ready to step in if Marvin Harrison Jr. doesn’t play.

“Carnell Tate, he’s been him since he got here. He’s kind of taken over that spot since Marv isn’t going to be playing, he’s going to be him,” Burke said.

Coming out of high school, Tate received a 4-star rating from the 247 Sports Composite and was the 59th overall player in the 2023 recruiting class. He has seen limited action as a true freshman in Ohio State’s star-studded receiving room but does have 17 catches for 260 yards and a touchdown.

Burke went on to project Tate as the next first-round draft pick from Ohio State’s young group of receivers:

“He’s going to be the next first-round guy out of here, mark my words. He’s a great player, he’s a pro on and off the field,” said Burke. “I kind of see a little of him in me when I was coming in as a freshman, just how focused he was and how much this game means to him.”

While Harrison is expected to head to the NFL Draft, Emeka Egbuka has not yet revealed his plans for next season. Ohio State also has a young group of prospects ready to step into action, including Tate, Brandon Inniss, Noah Rogers, Kyion Grayes and Caleb Burton if playing time opens up.