The Collegiate Career of Golden Tate

Golden Herman Tate III, born on August 2, 1988, is a former American professional football player renowned for his accomplishments as a wide receiver in the National Football League (NFL). Before his successful NFL career, Tate distinguished himself as a college football star at the University of Notre Dame.

Early Life and High School Career

Born in Hendersonville, Tennessee, Golden Tate attended Pope John Paul II High School, where he excelled as a three-sport athlete in football, baseball, and track & field. During his senior year in 2006, Tate showcased his versatility by rushing 140 times for 1,413 yards and 23 touchdowns, along with 28 receptions for 510 yards and six receiving touchdowns. He also contributed on defense with three interceptions, returned a kickoff for a touchdown, and served as the team's punter. His outstanding performance earned him recognition as a Tennessee Division II first-team all-state pick in 2006 by both the Tennessee Sports Writers Association and the Tennessee Football Coaches Association.

An injury to his thumb during his senior baseball season led Tate to switch to track and field, where he posted the state's top qualifying times in the 100-meter dash (10.93 s) and 200-meter dash (22.33 s). Tate was drafted by the Arizona Diamondbacks in the 42nd round of the 2007 amateur draft, but he chose to play college football and baseball for the University of Notre Dame instead.

Notre Dame Career (2007-2009)

Golden Tate played football for Notre Dame from 2007 to 2009, leaving an indelible mark on the program.

2007 Season (Freshman)

As a freshman in 2007, Tate appeared in all 12 games and started two, against UCLA and USC. He registered six receptions for 131 yards (21.8 avg.) with one touchdown and averaged 21.7 yards on 15 kick returns. He recorded one kickoff return for 20 yards vs. Georgia Tech and brought back a kickoff 34 yards vs. Penn State. Tate recorded five kickoff returns for the Irish, bringing in 133 yards vs. Michigan, where he recorded a long return of 40 yards, a career high. He also recorded four rushing yards vs. the Wolverines. Tate recorded three kickoff returns for 62 yards vs. Michigan State and had a breakout game vs. Purdue, where he recorded a team game high 104 yards on three catches. He made a long catch of the day on a pass from Evan Sharpley for 43 yards and caught a 25-yard pass from Sharpley for an Irish touchdown. He recorded one kickoff for 14 yards vs. the Boilermakers. Tate made his first career start (becoming the fourth freshman to start in 2007) at UCLA and had one kickoff return for 18 yards vs. Boston College. He also made one reception vs. USC for 22 yards and recorded one kickoff return for 16 yards vs.

Read also: Earning the Golden State Seal

2008 Season (Sophomore)

In his sophomore year, Tate played in all 13 games and started all but five contests (did not start vs. San Diego State, Michigan, Michigan State, Navy or Syracuse). He led the Irish in all-purpose yards (1,754), receptions (58), receiving yards (1,080), receiving touchdowns (10) and total touchdowns (11). His 1,754 all-purpose yards ranks third in Irish history. His 58 catches tied him for seventh most in a season at Notre Dame and his 1,080 receiving yards were the fifth most in Irish history. He tallied five games with at least 100 receiving yards - tied for third-most in a season and registered 18 receptions of at least 20 yards and 15 receptions of at least 30 yards. His 10 TD catches were the sixth most in a Notre Dame season. Tate hauled in a then-career-high six catches for 93 yards and a TD (second of career) in season opener vs. San Diego State and set a then-career-high for receiving yards in a game by hauling in four catches for 127 yards and a TD, including catches of 48 and 60 yards, against Michigan. He registered 116 yards on three catches in the first half alone, besting his previous career high of 104 yards against Purdue on Sept. 29, 2007. Tate recorded 107 all-purpose yards (24 rush, 83 receiving) on the day against Michigan State and tallied Notre Dame’s longest rush of his career with a 24-yard scamper on a reverse midway through the first quarter. He finished the afternoon against the Spartans with five receptions for 83 yards - marking the third straight game with at least 80 yards receiving. Tate registered his first start of the season (third of career) against Purdue and caught five passes for 64 yards and a TD in victory over the Boilermakers. He had his most complete all-purpose day of Irish career against North Carolina, totaling 213 all-purpose yards (121 yards receiving, 92 yards on returns). His 121 yards receiving marked the second time on the season he broke the 100-yard barrier and recorded his fourth TD reception of the season and fifth of his career on a 19-yard strike from Jimmy Clausen. Tate hauled in a 47-yard reception late in the second quarter against the Tar Heels to set up a first-down-and-goal situation. He registered fifth TD of the season (and first rushing TD of career) on a 21-yard end around against Washington and recorded 11 yards rushing, 47 yards receiving and 14 punt return yards in victory over the Huskies. He amassed 201 all-purpose yards vs. Pittsburgh (111 receiving, 91 KR and -1 PR), as well as hauling in his fifth receiving TD of the year and sixth TD of the season overall. He had a 47-yard reception and a 31-yard catch in the game that were his ninth and 10th catches on the year of 30 yards or longer. Tate surpassed 100 yards receiving for the third time on the season and fourth time in his career and tallied 199 all-purpose yards vs. Boston College. He hauled in six catches for 66 yards, added 89 yards on kickoff returns and 44 on punt returns against the Eagles. Tate made seventh start of the season against Navy and tallied a rush for three yards, six punt returns for 50 yards (8.3 avg.) and two kick returns for 38 yards (19.0 avg.) in the win. He had a huge day, hauling in seven balls for a game-high and then career-high 146 yards (20.9 avg.) and two TD against Syracuse and also returned four kickoffs for 72 yards (18.0 avg.) and had a carry for five yards in the game. He had three receptions of over 30 yards and registered his sixth TD reception on a 35-yard pass play from sophomore QB Jimmy Clausen with two seconds remaining in the first half to give Notre Dame a 13-10 halftime lead over the Orange. He added his second TD reception of the game and seventh of the season on a 36-yard pass from Clausen with 2:49 left in the third quarter (gave the Irish a 20-10 advantage) against Syracuse. Tate registered a career-best 223 all-purpose yards in the home finale and totaled 203 all-purpose yards (177 receiving, 17 kickoff return , nine punt return) and three TDs vs.

2009 Season (Junior)

In 2009, Tate's junior year, he had nine games with at least 100 receiving yards. On September 19, against Michigan State, Tate had 7 receptions for 127 yards and an iconic game-winning touchdown in the closing minutes where he celebrated by jumping into the MSU marching band section in the corner of the endzone.

Awards and Recognition

Tate's exceptional performance in 2009 earned him the Fred Biletnikoff Award, given annually to the nation's best college receiver. He was also recognized as a unanimous All-American, solidifying his status as one of the top players in college football.

Transition to Professional Football

After a stellar college career, Tate declared for the NFL Draft. His accomplishments at Notre Dame paved the way for a successful professional career, where he continued to showcase his skills and athleticism as a wide receiver.

Baseball Career

In 2008, Tate's freshman year at Notre Dame, he played in 18 games and batted .262 with three doubles and three stolen bases. Tate hit his first home run against Louisville in Louisville, Kentucky in his sophomore year. On June 14, 2022, Tate signed with the Port Angeles Lefties of the West Coast League as a center fielder.

Read also: Affording GWC

Personal Life

He is the son of Golden Tate Jr., a former wide receiver at Tennessee State who was the 120th overall pick in the fifth round of the 1984 NFL draft by the Indianapolis Colts. His younger brother, Wesley Tate, was a running back for Vanderbilt University. His younger twin sisters Breanna and Deanna Tate were both sprinters while at The University of Mississippi.

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