Ohio State cornerback Shaun Wade has been named to the 2020 preseason Jim Thorpe Award watch list.
Ohio State cornerback Shaun Wade is on another watch list. It was announced Monday that the junior is among 49 names appearing on the 2020 preseason watch list for the Jim Thorpe Award, given annually to college football’s best defensive back. He has already appeared on the Lott IMPACT Trophy and Bednarik watch lists.
Administered by the Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame and the Jim Thorpe Association, the award has been handed out since 1986.
Wade flirted with heading to the NFL early last season but ultimately decided to come back to Ohio State where he will move to the No. 1 cornerback position on the outside. He has all the tools to be one of the favorites to take home the Thorpe in 2020 but will have stiff competition.
Ohio State cornerback Shaun Wade has found himself on another preseason college football watch list. This time it’s for the Nagurski Trophy.
Ohio State cornerback Shaun Wade has found himself on yet another preseason college football watch list, and this time is from the folks at the Football Writers Association who manage the Nagurski Trophy.
Wade has already appeared on the Bednarik and Thorpe — and now he’s also on the Nagurski that goes annually to the player deemed to be the best defender in college football. It has been handed out annually since 1993 in partnership by the FWAA and the Charlotte Touchdown Club.
Wade comes into his junior year expected to be one of the best corners in the nation. He was a former five-star recruit and should get a chance to shine as the Buckeyes No. 1 defensive back this fall.
Ohio State has had two winners of the Nagurski Trophy. Linebacker James Laurinaitis won it back in 2007, and Chase Young brought home the trophy last season.
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Ohio State cornerback Shaun Wade has been named to the preseason Bednarik Award watch list as announced on Monday.
We might as well keep it in the Buckeye family.
After Chase Young took home the Bednarik Award last season, there’s now another Ohio State player that’s been named to the preseason watch list for 2020. Rising fourth-year junior cornerback Shaun Wade is one of several names that were announced on Monday by the Maxwell Football Club.
Wade flirted with leaving early for the NFL draft but decided to come back to Ohio State for one more year. He is expected to be a leader on the defense and the clear No. 1 lockdown corner in the secondary.
The Bednarik Award has been handed out annually to the College Defensive Player of the Year since 1995 and is named in honor of Chuck Bednarik, a former standout at the University of Pennsylvania.
Semifinalists for the Bednarik Award will be announced November 3, 2020, while the three finalists for the Bednarik Award will be unveiled November 23, 2020. The winner of the 2020 Bednarik Awards will be announced as part of the ESPN Home Depot College Football Awards Show held on December 10, 2020. At least that’s the plan.
Young’s recognition as the winner of the award last year is the only time an Ohio State player has taken home the honor.
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A profile of Ohio State cornerback Shaun Wade entering the 2020 college football season.
Name: Shaun Wade
Number: 24
Position: CB
Class: Junior
Height: 6’1″
Weight: 195 lbs
Hometown: Jacksonville, FL
High School: Trinity Christian Academy
2019-2020 Stats:
GP
Solo Tackles
Ast Tackles
TFL
Sacks
Int
Int TD
FF
Pass Def
11
17
9
4.0
2.0
1
0
2
7
Overview
Wade will be remembered for his controversial-at-absolute-best targeting ejection from the Fiesta Bowl. That play definitely changed the momentum and flow of the game, and finally gave Clemson a chance to get back in it.
The play was not entirely Wade’s fault. Like Chris Olave and the season-ending interception, it should not define him. Wade provided so much to the Buckeyes over the season, and he will be an integral piece of Ohio State’s 2020 success.
With Jeff Okudah, Damon Arnette, and Jordan Fuller all off to the NFL, the Buckeyes will need more NFL-level talent in the secondary to make up for it.
Wade absolutely has that talent. It will be up to him to show it and lead this defense to its full capabilities if the Buckeyes want to be an elite contender this year.
Highlights
Want to know what makes Wade so good? Check out his best plays from last season.
Though the 2020 season has yet to arrive, there are still those looking ahead to the 2021 NFL Draft. For the New York Giants, it’s another chance to grab some elite talent for a rebuilding roster.
One of the main areas in which the Giants will likely focus their attention is at the cornerback position. Despite adding James Bradberry in free agency this year, there are some question marks in the room.
In our first crack at this mock draft, we had the Giants picking first, but, alas, the latest consensus is that they won’t get that lucky — or be that bad. So, instead they’ll wind up with the seventh overall pick, and select Shaun Wade, the Ohio State corner who should help shore up what was the league’s eighth-worst defense in 2019.
At 6-foot-1 and 194 pounds, Wade is expected to be the next in a long line of solid cornerbacks to come out of Ohio State. In his sophomore season for the Buckeyes, he tallied 4.0 tackles for loss and two interceptions.
The Giants cornerback room currently consists of the aforementioned Bradberry, DeAndre Baker, Sam Beal, Corey Ballentine, Grant Haley, Julian Love and 2020 fourth-round pick Darnay Holmes.
Check out Draft Wire’s exclusive interview with Ohio State cornerback prospect Shaun Wade
At this point, we’re used to seeing top defensive backs pouring out of Ohio State University, and the 2021 NFL Draft class will have one of its own in Shaun Wade.
The next blue-chip corner prospect to come out of Columbus, Wade recently spoke exclusively with Draft Wire about his decision to return to school for another season, the pressure of taking on a leadership role in the secondary this season, and what fans can expect from him in 2020.
JM: A lot of people felt like you were ready to make the jump to the NFL draft in 2020, but you decided to return to Ohio State for another season. Can you walk me through your decision-making process?
SW: I just felt like I still had work to do. It was the best decision for me. It gives me a chance to graduate from Ohio State. It gives me a chance to come back here and try to win another National Championship. That’s a dream of mine. Those are the main reasons I came back. I want to graduate and get my degree.
JM: With the departures of Jeff Okudah, Chase Young and Damon Arnette, just to name a few, how can this Ohio State defense be better this year than it was last year?
SW: Those guys are obviously special players, but we had a lot of games last year where our younger players were our main contributors. Those guys have developed. Those young guys really stepped up last year. There were times where I wasn’t playing and we had a great defense. Young was banged up. Arnette missed some time. Our young guys had a chance to play in some really big games. That experience was huge. I feel like our young guys are gonna step up and fill the void left behind. We’re gonna do great things this year. I’m really looking forward to the upcoming season. I can’t wait.
JM: You played as a nickel corner last season, but you’ll be moving outside this year. Is that going to be a tough transition for you?
SW: I don’t expect it to be a tough transition. I’ve practiced it a few times. It’s not gonna be new to me. I played there in high school. I’ve played there a few times at Ohio State. I’m looking forward to it. Playing at Ohio State is such a privilege. If they need me to play outside, I’m gonna be proud to do it. I’m a team player first and foremost. I’m looking forward to playing outside corner. It should give me a chance to show off some of my talent.
Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
JM: You’re expected to be the leader of this secondary in 2020. That’s sort of something you signed up for when you decided to stay in school. How do you plan on embracing that?
SW: I plan on fully embracing that. I’m trying to get everybody situated right now. We’re all going through COVID-19 together and its brought some challenges. I’m trying to make sure that everybody is finding ways to work out and stay in shape. We need to be doing everything we can to hit the ground running once we’re back in the facility. We’re working out to the best of our abilities. That’s our responsibility right now. All of the rules have changed due to COVID-19. Its been a tough time but I’m just trying to make sure that all of our young players are prepared because the season truly is right around the corner. We don’t have time to waste. We have to give it our all throughout all this. We need to have an NFL mindset.
JM: Coach Kerry Coombs is back at Ohio State. He spent two years in the NFL with the Tennessee Titans, but he returns to Ohio State now as defensive coordinator and defensive backs coach. Coach Coombs is a bit of a legend there. You must be excited to work with him once again in what’s sure to be an important season for you, right?
SW: Coach Coombs is an excellent coach. He’s actually the coach that originally recruited me. He’s the reason that I became a Buckeye in the first place. I’m really happy that he got a chance to experience coaching in the NFL with the Titans. I always knew that was a dream of his. He lived out his dream for a little while but I’m really glad that he’s back. I’m really looking forward to the energy and excitement that he brings to the game. Anybody that knows coach Coombs knows that he’s an energetic guy. He has an excellent background. He’s coached a lot of NFL talent. I’m really looking forward to learning some new things under his watchful eye this season.
JM: Ohio State has been a “DB factory” as of late. Okudah and Arnette are the most recent examples. Coach Coombs has coached a bunch of first-round picks, as you said. How much confidence does that give you as you continue to chase your dream of one day playing in the NFL?
SW: It gives me a ton of confidence. At the end of the day, my confidence has to come from within. I can’t rely on anybody else for that. The coaches teach me things, and it’s my responsibility to put it on the field. It has to come from me at the end of the day. I’m very blessed to play for such a great coaching staff.
Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports
JM: You’ve recorded four interceptions over the past two years. Are you making it a priority to try and get your hands on the ball more often this coming season?
SW: I’m definitely looking forward to playing corner on the outside this season. I expect more balls to be thrown my way. I feel like I didn’t get targeted a whole lot playing in the slot. I didn’t have a chance to make a lot of splash plays in the slot. I should have more opportunities this coming season. I’m very excited about that. I should have a lot more one-on-one opportunities on the outside this season. I’m looking forward to those reps. It’s time for me to showcase my talent.
JM: I love that. What are three traits that a successful cornerback must possess?
SW: Quick twitch is a big one. You have to be a twitchy guy if you want to successfully play cornerback in this decade. You need to have quick feet. Length is a big one as well. You need to have those long arms. That’s what helps you get your hands on the ball.
JM: What’s your favorite part about playing cornerback?
SW: I love the 1-on-1 match-ups. I enjoy playing press-man on an island. It gives me a chance to make plays on the outside. That’s probably my favorite part. A lot of corners don’t like blitzing, but I love to do that as well. I just love making plays. I enjoy winning the one-on-one match-ups against the opposing team’s best athlete. I really look forward to that.
JM: Playing at Ohio State has afforded you the opportunity to play against some of the best competition college football has to offer. Who are some of the best receivers you’ve had to cover up until this point?
SW: I’ve covered so many great receivers. I had a teammate, K.J. Hill. He’s a dog, man. He’s with the Los Angeles Chargers now. He’s gonna be so good for them. I actually covered so many great receivers in high school. Jerry Jeudy is very good. Tee Higgins is a great prospect. I feel like Chris Olave is gonna be really good for us. I look forward to going up against him in practice. I’ve squared off with so many great receivers. All of those guys can make big plays. Rondale Moore is another one. I can go on and on.
Joe Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports
JM: Do you approach a bigger, more physical receiver any differently than you do a smaller, shiftier one?
SW: Yeah, I definitely approach them differently. As you know, I played in the slot last year. You have to approach each receiver differently in the slot. Those smaller receivers are typically quicker and faster. Bigger receivers want to use their body as an advantage. There’s different techniques for different receivers. Some receivers are big and fast. You have to watch the film and understand what you’re up against.
JM: Coach Ryan Day had some big shoes to fill. How do you feel he’s done so far?
SW: Coach Day has done a phenomenal job. Taking over for a legend like coach Urban Meyer is no easy task. I had a chance to play for a legendary coach like coach Meyer. Coach Day has done some great things. He’s recruited some excellent players. He treats us like young men. He shows us a ton of respect. He teaches us things about life. It’s not just about football with him. He wants to teach us about life. He’s done some phenomenal things. I know that he’s going to continue to be the right coach for the Buckeyes.
JM: If you were going into battle tomorrow and could only bring one teammate with you, who would you bring and why?
SW: My roommate, Tyreke Johnson. That’s my guy. We grew up together. We went to high school together. We’re at Ohio State together now and we’re roommates. We’ve basically gone through every stage of life together. I would definitely bring him with me.
JM: What can you tell me about Justin Fields, both the man and the quarterback?
SW: Justin is a dog. He understands the game of football at such a high level. He has every measurable you want in a quarterback. He has the height, he has the athleticism. He’s a great leader. He keeps to himself mostly. He really loves the game. He loves learning about the game.
JM: How would you describe the atmosphere at Ohio Stadium on game day?
SW: The atmosphere is unbelievable. All the fans are cheering you on, you hear that “O-H-I-O” and it’s a special feeling. The Shoe is rocking on game-day, especially if it’s a night game against Penn State or whoever. We have the best fans in the land. They always have our backs.
JM: What can Ohio State fans expect from Shaun Wade this season?
SW: I’m looking forward to the season. I’m gonna do my best for our fans. We’re trying to get back into the playoffs. Once we’re in the Final Four, we’re trying to bring home another National Championship. Go Bucks!
Three Ohio State football players have been selected by the Sporting News as preseason All-Americans for 2020.
The Sporting News college football preview is out and with it, its preseason All-American squads. As you’d expect, Ohio State is well represented with three total players appearing. Remember, this isn’t a mock draft or player ranking, but a look at the best players in college football for 2020 at their respective positions.
So who made it from the Buckeyes? It’s really a repeat of what we’ve seen from other publications and websites during the preseason prediction circuit. Bill Bender picked a First Team, Second Team, and Third Team like most other All-American teams.
You could argue there’s a couple of OSU players missing from this list, but having three is still a pretty good showing.
Draft wire has its latest first-round 2021 NFL Draft projections out, and Ohio State has two players appearing.
We’ve got another version of Draft Wire’s first-round 2021 NFL Draft projections out, and this time it’s based on the Super Bowl odds according to our friends at BetMGM.
As always, we are interested in where Ohio State players fall in these sorts of things, and according to Luke Easterling, there are two Buckeye players he expects to go on the first day. It’s the same two players you’ve likely seen before, and the same two most other mock drafts have going in the first round as well.
So let’s get to it. Here are the two OSU players Draft Wire has going off the board in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft.
Ohio State cornerback Shaun Wade is staying for his senior season, and he may get rewarded with a much-improved draft stock.
Ohio State cornerback Shaun Wade is staying for his senior season, and he may get rewarded with a much-improved draft stock, especially if the trend continues as it has been for OSU corners.
After all, that will be the clear goal as he could’ve easily left and been drafted after this past season as Ohio State’s No. 3 cornerback. Both the team’s other corners, Damon Arnette and Jeff Okudah, were first-round picks.
Just proving how dominant Ohio State cornerbacks are and how impressive they are to NFL teams, Wade will return and slide into the position of the team’s best corner.
He’ll also likely slide from in the slot to the outside as Okudah and Arnette were the two primary outside threats. That should, as Pro Football Focus’ Michael Renner reiterates, skyrocket his stock.
It may skyrocket it so much so that he becomes one of the two best cornerbacks in the 2021 NFL Draft, a vast improvement over potentially being a third-round pick in the 2020 draft.
According to PFF, Wade is the No. 2 cornerback prospect with Virginia Tech’s Caleb Farley sitting just slightly above him at the moment. OSU’s Wyatt Davis, Justin Fields, and Chris Olave are all likely to be top picks in the 2021 draft as well.
Shaun Wade, Sevyn Banks, Cameron Brown and Josh Proctor are set to keep Ohio State's secondary playing at a high level in 2020.@PFF_Anthony ($):https://t.co/aPZOCsJo2L
As for Wade, he’s combined for 57 tackles and four interceptions in his first two seasons, having also red-shirted a season. Wade, a former five-star recruit, is set to have a breakout season for the Buckeyes.
It should be fun.
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A trio of Ohio State players were selected as 2020 preseason Walter Camp All-Americans Thursday.
Though it’s not a nod to what will happen during the 2020 season, it does speak to what’s already happened and the expectations of what is to come this fall. The Walter Camp Football Foundation released its 2020 college football Walter Camp preseason All-American team Thursday, and there are three Ohio State players appearing.
Offensive guard Wyatt Davis made the first team, with quarterback Justin Fields and cornerback Shaun Wade appearing on the second team. In all, fifty players were selected from 22 different schools encompassing eight different conferences.
Per a release from Ohio State:
“Davis, from Bellflower, Calif., blossomed into one of the nation’s top interior linemen last season as a first-year starter. While paving the way for an offense that averaged 529.9 yards per game, Davis was voted a first team All-American by the Associated Press, CBS Sports and The Sporting News. He’s one of three returning starters along the offensive line for the 2020 Buckeyes.”
“Fields enjoyed one of the best statistical seasons in program history in 2019 as a first-year starter. The Kennesaw, Ga., native threw for 3,273 yards and 41 touchdowns with just three interceptions. He accounted for 51 total touchdowns and became the first player in Big Ten history with 40 passing TDs and 10 rushing TDs in the same season. In addition to being the Big Ten’s Offensive Player of the Year and Quarterback of the Year, Fields was also a finalist for the Heisman Trophy.”
“Wade, a rising fourth-year junior, is Ohio State’s most experienced returnee in the secondary, having played in 27 games over the last two seasons. A third team All-Big Ten selection in 2019, he had 26 tackles, four tackles-for-loss, one interception, two forced fumbles and eight pass breakups. As a redshirt freshman in 2018, he led the team with three interceptions.”
@WalterCampFF is the nation's OLDEST college football All-America team. Mr. Camp first selected an All-America team in 1889. Later this fall, we will honor our 131st edition.
— Walter Camp Football (@WalterCampFF) June 11, 2020
The announcement of the Walter Camp preseason All-American team adds to the preseason selection to the Lott IMPACT trophy’s preseason watchlist that also included Shaun Wade.
There will be more preseason watchlist and recognitions to trickle out as we get closer and closer to the season. As they do, we’ll have all of it for you.
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