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FROM DRAFTGUYS.COM
Brandon Tate - WR - North Carolina
6’0” - 187 lbs.
Career Notes
At Cummings High School in North Carolina Tate was a two-way star on the gridiron. He was a 3-year letterman in football and basketball. On the hoops court he led his team to the state title his senior season, and on the football field he was a dynamic receiver and dangerous defensive back.
In 2005 he was 1 of 7 true freshmen to letter in football, playing in 11 games exclusively on special teams. He showed why he is so dangerous with the ball in his hands with a 96 yard kick return for a TD versus Utah. The next season Tate made more contributions as a KR/PR, including a game against Duke where scored while returning both a punt and a kick. His junior season he started all 12 games at flanker and put up good numbers despite splitting time with Brooks Foster. Statistically his best season, he caught 25 passes for 479 yards with 5 TDs. He led the conference in total yards (1,765), and became the ACC’s all time leading kick returner in only his 3rd season. It was supposed to be Tate in ‘08 and he looked like he was on his way to his most productive year as a receiver when a devastating ACL & MCL injury versus Notre Dame forced him to miss the final 7 games. In 6 games he caught 16 passes for 376 yards and 3 TDs.
Scouting Report
positives
Lining up Tate for a hit is very hard because he has such a good blend of speed and quickness. He can get to top speed in a hurry, and will get on top of a defense quickly. Far more than just a speed guy, Tate knows how to set up a DB, get his hips turned, and break off his route. He has the body control to work the sideline, and adjust to poorly thrown passes. Brandon is getting better as a route runner, but is already an excellent returner who is capable of anticipating lanes in front of him. He is also a strong and aggressive player that is known to run through arm tackles.
negatives
A torn ACL/MCL in October will continue to prevent Tate from working out for scouts, and he’s not expected to be 100% until June. Too many passes get to his body. Still raw as a wideout he was thought of mostly as a return specialist before flashing receiving ability this year.
Game Tape Specifics
v North Carolina State
Although Tate’s skills are raw as a wide receiver, he has shown the ability to do the little things that a savvy receiver must do to excel. For example, early in the game against NC State Tate makes what some might think of as a routine 20 yd catch on a deep slant route. It was a solid catch, and with the DB draped all over him he was tackled immediately. First down play, the chains move to inside the 20, a good catch. However, when examining the play further you can see that Tate shows great timing with his QB. The DB was playing press coverage and had his back to the ball when the pass was thrown. Brandon did not tip the DB off as to when the ball was arriving. He knew the route, and he had the timing to look back - only as the ball was getting there! It takes great hand/eye coordination to turn, see a pass that is already there, get your hands up, and catch it. Plus the DB swiped at the ball when he saw Tate had secured the pass, but he couldn’t knock the ball away.
v Miami
Brandon is a dangerous weapon that can be used in a variety of ways. He is a developing WR, a fantastic KR/PR, and also a player that can be used running the ball on a reverse. Against the Hurricanes he lined up wide right, came in motion, and then took off on a handoff from the QB. He had wide open spaces to the strong side of the field, and this was setting up to be a big play. However, the defense had angles and was closing in on Tate after about 10 yards. Brandon used his return ability on this run play by slowing down and waiting for teammate Hakeem Nicks to get out in front of him. Tate did such a good job of setting up the block that Nicks was able to block 2 different defenders, one to the outside - and then later down the field, one to the inside. When he was in the clear Tate knew when to turn the jets back on and scored a TD from 50 yards out.
compares to
Josh Cribbs, WR, Cleveland Browns
Draft Stock Report
His draft stock isn’t as high as it used to be because of his ongoing rehabilitation. The team that drafts him will have to do so without working him out. His college tape will show a dangerous return man, and an emerging WR, but how soon will a team take a chance on him? He is projected to be a 2nd day pick, more than likely a late 3rd rounder or early 4th rounder.
I KNOW THERE NOT BEEN A ALOT TALK ABOUT HIM... BUT HE MIGHT BE A STEAL IN THE 3 OR 4 ROUND...
Brandon Tate - WR - North Carolina
6’0” - 187 lbs.
Career Notes
At Cummings High School in North Carolina Tate was a two-way star on the gridiron. He was a 3-year letterman in football and basketball. On the hoops court he led his team to the state title his senior season, and on the football field he was a dynamic receiver and dangerous defensive back.
In 2005 he was 1 of 7 true freshmen to letter in football, playing in 11 games exclusively on special teams. He showed why he is so dangerous with the ball in his hands with a 96 yard kick return for a TD versus Utah. The next season Tate made more contributions as a KR/PR, including a game against Duke where scored while returning both a punt and a kick. His junior season he started all 12 games at flanker and put up good numbers despite splitting time with Brooks Foster. Statistically his best season, he caught 25 passes for 479 yards with 5 TDs. He led the conference in total yards (1,765), and became the ACC’s all time leading kick returner in only his 3rd season. It was supposed to be Tate in ‘08 and he looked like he was on his way to his most productive year as a receiver when a devastating ACL & MCL injury versus Notre Dame forced him to miss the final 7 games. In 6 games he caught 16 passes for 376 yards and 3 TDs.
Scouting Report
positives
Lining up Tate for a hit is very hard because he has such a good blend of speed and quickness. He can get to top speed in a hurry, and will get on top of a defense quickly. Far more than just a speed guy, Tate knows how to set up a DB, get his hips turned, and break off his route. He has the body control to work the sideline, and adjust to poorly thrown passes. Brandon is getting better as a route runner, but is already an excellent returner who is capable of anticipating lanes in front of him. He is also a strong and aggressive player that is known to run through arm tackles.
negatives
A torn ACL/MCL in October will continue to prevent Tate from working out for scouts, and he’s not expected to be 100% until June. Too many passes get to his body. Still raw as a wideout he was thought of mostly as a return specialist before flashing receiving ability this year.
Game Tape Specifics
v North Carolina State
Although Tate’s skills are raw as a wide receiver, he has shown the ability to do the little things that a savvy receiver must do to excel. For example, early in the game against NC State Tate makes what some might think of as a routine 20 yd catch on a deep slant route. It was a solid catch, and with the DB draped all over him he was tackled immediately. First down play, the chains move to inside the 20, a good catch. However, when examining the play further you can see that Tate shows great timing with his QB. The DB was playing press coverage and had his back to the ball when the pass was thrown. Brandon did not tip the DB off as to when the ball was arriving. He knew the route, and he had the timing to look back - only as the ball was getting there! It takes great hand/eye coordination to turn, see a pass that is already there, get your hands up, and catch it. Plus the DB swiped at the ball when he saw Tate had secured the pass, but he couldn’t knock the ball away.
v Miami
Brandon is a dangerous weapon that can be used in a variety of ways. He is a developing WR, a fantastic KR/PR, and also a player that can be used running the ball on a reverse. Against the Hurricanes he lined up wide right, came in motion, and then took off on a handoff from the QB. He had wide open spaces to the strong side of the field, and this was setting up to be a big play. However, the defense had angles and was closing in on Tate after about 10 yards. Brandon used his return ability on this run play by slowing down and waiting for teammate Hakeem Nicks to get out in front of him. Tate did such a good job of setting up the block that Nicks was able to block 2 different defenders, one to the outside - and then later down the field, one to the inside. When he was in the clear Tate knew when to turn the jets back on and scored a TD from 50 yards out.
compares to
Josh Cribbs, WR, Cleveland Browns
Draft Stock Report
His draft stock isn’t as high as it used to be because of his ongoing rehabilitation. The team that drafts him will have to do so without working him out. His college tape will show a dangerous return man, and an emerging WR, but how soon will a team take a chance on him? He is projected to be a 2nd day pick, more than likely a late 3rd rounder or early 4th rounder.
I KNOW THERE NOT BEEN A ALOT TALK ABOUT HIM... BUT HE MIGHT BE A STEAL IN THE 3 OR 4 ROUND...
