When a player happens to go undrafted in the NFL draft, there is sometimes a blessing in disguise. As an undrafted free agent, any player not selected in the draft may start off at the bottom rung of the NFL, but the freedom to decide which team they will sign with can help lead to a more satisfying start in the league.
In the case of former Penn State safety Lamont Wade, an opportunity to start his career in his home region just made too much sense. Wade signed an undrafted free agent contract with the Pittsburgh Steelers shortly after the conclusion of the 2021 NFL draft, in which six Penn State players were selected over the course of the three-day event.
Lamont Wade is heading home‼️@ThurtyAte has signed as a free agent with the @Steelers 🟡⚫️#WeAre | #NFL pic.twitter.com/GcrVFvncNZ
— Penn State Football (@PennStateFball) May 2, 2021
Remember this day…
— LaMont Wade. 🦍 (@ThurtyAte) May 1, 2021
Congratulations Lamont Wade! Run with this opportunity in Pittsburgh. Nothing can stop you now! Continue making big plays on defense, give all you got on special teams & success will be yours & the @steelers. I appreciate you, your family & I will always be here for you! pic.twitter.com/htnXSIE8pM
— James Franklin (@coachjfranklin) May 2, 2021
Wade is a Pittsburgh area native from Clairton, so being close to home adds a layer of comfort right off the bat. But the Steelers may also have a need at the safety position, and Wade hopes to be able to capitalize on the roster turnover with the Steelers.
“I signed because I thought Pittsburgh would be the best fit for me after the departure of Mike Hilton and Steven Nelson,” Wade said in an interview recently.
Good talk w/ former @PennStateFball /new #Steelers DB LaMont Wade on signing w/ the Steelers:
"I signed because I thought Pittsburgh would be the best fit for me after the departure of Mike Hilton & Steven Nelson. I have the chance to go there & compete right away."@ThurtyAte pic.twitter.com/EyhjCzKHUk
— Steelers Takeaways 🌗 (@PittsburghSport) May 6, 2021
Wade is taking it upon himself to embrace an underdog mentality, and his social media updates have shown he is not backing down from fighting for his place in the NFL.
“I’m used to the underdog role.” Former Clairton standout and Penn State safety turned Steelers free agent signee Lamont Wade is ready to turn the disappointment of not being drafted into an opportunity to prove people wrong. @ThurtyAte https://t.co/cOKM74fwmN
— Mike Darnay (@MikeDarnay) May 7, 2021
All my life I been fighting, scratching, & clawing for any type of position…It’s easy to get tired of it & wanna cave in…But I know I can’t…You’ll probably see the best version of me you’ve ever seen, and I mean that..
— LaMont Wade. 🦍 (@ThurtyAte) May 2, 2021
Here’s hoping the home cooking for Wade leads to a role in the Steelers’ defensive plans moving forward.
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