[2] He played as a starting wide receiver for the East squad in the 2008 U.S. Army All-American Bowl, an all-star game for some of the nation's most outstanding high school seniors.
Ultimately, Tate chose Maryland over Illinois, whose offensive coordinator Mike Locksley, a former Terrapins running backs coach, had much success recruiting in the Baltimore–Washington area.
"[6] His commitment to Maryland was seen as a windfall for the program, which had recently struggled to secure highly touted prospects from the local area.
Before the start of the 2008 season, head coach Ralph Friedgen moved Tate to safety due to a lack of depth at that position.
[2] He recorded six kick returns for 84 yards and a long of 17, 15 tackles including ten solo and five assisted, one interception, and one pass broken-up.
Tate was also employed as a second, close-in returner with the goal of intercepting one of Eastern Michigan's "rugby-style" punts before it could bounce downfield.
[2] In the shutout win against Wake Forest, Tate recorded his first broken-up pass, but was unable to pull it in for an interception.
In the 2008 Humanitarian Bowl against Nevada, Tate made his first career interception when he caught a potential touchdown throw from Colin Kaepernick in the end zone.
[2] At the end of the 2008 season, head coach Ralph Friedgen gave Tate the option of switching back to wide receiver.
"[22] Despite ten potential starting wide receivers on the Maryland roster,[23] Tate said that did not factor into his decision to remain on defense.
[27] Head coach Friedgen called his camp performance "sensational",[28] while Maryland quarterback Chris Turner said, "Kenny is a problem.
He missed the final two contests against Florida State and Boston College after he suffered a severe ankle sprain against Virginia Tech.
"[29] Before the season, The Washington Post considered him a "valuable asset" to second-year defensive coordinator Don Brown's aggressive system.
[29] In the season opener against Navy at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, Tate stopped a quarterback keeper by Ricky Dobbs on the goal line, which preserved a 17–14 Maryland victory in the closing minutes.
[30] During the game, he compiled a career-high 12 tackles and forced two fumbles, one of which halted a potential scoring drive inside the Maryland five-yard line.
[32] Against 21st-ranked West Virginia, Tate intercepted a pass thrown by Jock Sanders on a halfback option play, and returned it 53 yards.
[33] Against Duke, Tate harassed quarterback Sean Renfree and compiled 1.5 sacks, including one that forced a fumble during a drive deep in Maryland territory.
[38] During his freshman season, Tate roomed with two other players who saw action in their first year: cornerback Cameron Chism and running back Davin Meggett.