Tag: Shaun Wade

Two Ohio State players in For The Win’s very early 2021 NFL mock draft

It’s very, very early, but For The Win has projected two Ohio State players to go in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft.

It doesn’t take very long to turn the page on an NFL draft, and that’s just what some of the national websites and publications are already doing. Heck, we’ve already taken a look ahead as well.

For The Win has already put out a very, very early projection into the 2021 NFL mock draft. As you’d expect, there is some Ohio State representation with two players in the first 32 picks.

Can you guess the two?

One is simple right? Everybody has quarterback Justin Fields going somewhere in the top five of the draft this early on, and it’s no different here. Henry McKenna from USA TODAY’s For the Win has the dual-threat QB going No. 4 overall to the Las Vegas Raiders.

The other Buckeye in the mix is cornerback Shaun Wade. FTW has the former five-star recruit checking in at No. 26 to the Houston Texans. Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence is the projected overall No. 1 for what it’s worth.

And that’s it. We think at least two more OSU players will get a look. Wide receiver Chris Olave could sneak into the first round if he has the year we expect (and he decides to come out early), and offensive lineman Wyatt Davis figures to be one of the best guards available in the draft and could go in round one as well.

We’re sure to see more of these way-too-early mock drafts come out as we everyone continues to look ahead to the next Roger Goodell special.

Could the coronavirus pandemic rob us of Justin Fields’ last season at Ohio State?

The novel coronavirus is could impact the coming college football season. What if we’ve seen the last of Justin Fields in a Buckeye uniform?

The novel coronavirus is sweeping the United State like wildfire and could impact the coming college football season.

Having topped two million people worldwide, the virus is not being taken lightly by governors — especially Ohio’s Mike DeWine who has put into place a shelter-at-home order till May 1.

Hailed as one of the governors being at the forefront of preventing the disease, he offered hesitation recently regarding a 100,000-plus crowd watching Ohio State this fall.

But, if the highly contagious virus continues at its current pace, there’s no denying the entire season could be in jeopardy as playing at all would put players at an increased risk of exposure.

After all, the bulk of major sports leagues like the NBA, MLB and MLS have yet to give solid timetables for their return. That said, if the season is canceled, this pandemic may cost fans another chance to Justin Fields in a Buckeye uniform.

It is true it’s pure speculation to think there won’t be a college football season, and nobody is pretending to have insight on something here. It’s just simply a real possibility that things won’t be at a point where everyone will agree across different locations, management, and situations to make everything work for large gatherings like a major college football game.

There are concessions that can be made, like games without fans, testing protocols, and more to help mitigate the health risk, but there’s no way to completely eliminate it at this point. The chances of that changing dramatically over the next few months isn’t looking promising either.

We also don’t know how the NCAA will treat any of this in regards to eligibility and exceptions. But if the utmost in caution continues (and there’s reason to believe that it might), Fields could have a decision to make on the next step in his career. He’ll be NFL eligible once he’s three years removed from High School. That means he could hypothetically enter the 2021 NFL Draft.

It’s not Justin Just Fields either.

Cornerback Shaun Wade and wide receiver Chris Olave would also have a options. It’d most saddening for Wade who could’ve been preparing for the NFL Draft now but opted to return.

For Fields, the Heisman Trophy finalist really could use another solid season. After several dynamic, dual-threat Ohio State quarterbacks failed at the highest level, it would’ve been ideal for another utterly dominant season. One in which he might even bring some coveted hardware home.

One of the best in college football, Fields ended the 2019 season with 41 touchdowns and three interceptions. His dual-threat natural was huge for Ohio State in multiple games — tacking on almost 500 yards and 10 touchdowns to his resume.

Head coach Ryan Day is planning and hoping for a season like many others in the same boat.

“Some football is better than no football,” Ryan Day said on a teleconference call with reporters Wednesday. Basically, Day is noting that having games without fans isn’t ideal, but it’s better than not playing at all.

We are right there with you coach. But, the health of everyone is of utmost concern and we’ll just have to see how it all plays out.

Ryan Day believes Ohio State DB Shaun Wade is best corner in college football

Ohio State rejoiced when DB Shaun Wade decided to play another year. Head coach Ryan Day believes he’s the best corner in college football.

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We’re starting to get a lot of information coming just a few days into spring ball at Ohio State. There’s been an injury of note to running back Master Teague, some shuffling of players and positions early on, and some comments from the head coach on several key position battles going on.

Arguably the most important position group to hammer out for this fall is the defensive backs. Gone is All-American Jeff Okudah, along with two other talented guys in cornerback Damon Arnette and safety Jordan Fuller.

But unexpectedly back is a guy that may have been a little underrated on the national scene. Cornerback Shaun Wade had a decision to make at the end of last year as it relates to the NFL, and instead of making the jump, he ultimately decided to come back and be the presumed No. 1 guy on the back end of the defense for Ohio State in 2020.

The reality is that Wade’s return provides the coaching staff with a special talent to build around in a very inexperienced secondary. He may not have received the press the more seasoned trio that departed did, but he’s got the skill set to develop into another one of the program’s first-round NFL DB talents.

You can count Ryan Day as a big believer in what Wade brings to the team. When speaking to the media on the opening day of spring practice, Day was asked about the secondary and singled out the 6-1, 194 lb. rising redshirt junior.

“Shaun coming back was huge,” said Day. “I think Shaun, in my opinion should be considered the top corner in the country coming back in all of (college) football.”

The tape doesn’t lie either. All you have to do is look at the times when Wade was out last year to understand how he was missed on the field. The Ohio State secondary showed a little more bend to it when he was banged up a bit against Michigan and Wisconsin in the Big Ten Championship Game.

And not to pick off the scab from the Fiesta Bowl, but Clemson gained a little momentum and started to move the ball down the field a little better once Wade was ejected for targeting in the second quarter out in Glendale.

So yeah, the kid can play a little. He was a five-star DB out of Jacksonville when he made he made his way to Ohio State as a freshman, and it’s time for him to shine this fall. Day and the coaching staff believe it, it’s now time to make it happen on the field.

That all continues this spring.

 

* Lori Schmidt contributed to this story.

 

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Kirk Herbstreit has high expectations for Shaun Wade in 2020

The Buckeyes will see Shaun Wade return in 2020, and analyst Kirk Herbstreit is already setting high expectations for 2020.

The Ohio State Buckeyes secondary will be a rebuilt one this upcoming season.

The unit may go from one of the Buckeyes’ strongest units to one of its biggest question marks with three starters either exiting college or declaring for the NFL Draft.

Those stars include Jeff Okudah, Damon Arnette Jr., and Jordan Fuller, the team’s best two cornerbacks and Ohio State’s starting safety. All three are likely going to be among the top ten prospects at their respective position.

Those decisions put pressure on former five-star cornerback Shaun Wade. A three-year sophomore in college eligibility, Wade made his decision this past Saturday, and it was one that will change both his future and the Buckeyes.

There it is. He is staying.

Truth be told: the Ohio State Buckeyes would be in trouble if Wade declared for the draft, skipping his fourth year like corner Jeff Okudah is doing.

But, Wade, who was a top-400 all-time recruit according to 247 Sports, will return and look to improve on an already-high draft stock.

That said, many analysts know the importance of Wade’s return, and one familiar name, Kirk Herbstreit, has already set high expectations on the soon-to-be senior cornerback.

Wade recorded 26 tackles, two sacks, and one interception this past season. Like Herbstreit noted, he played primarily in the nickel and will transition into an every-down corner that will be Ohio State’s top option.

With Clarke Phillips II, a four-star cornerback flipping from Ohio State and heading to Utah, Wade’s presence will be even more important. He’ll be the engine to a somewhat inexperienced secondary.

Like Herbstreit noted, Wade should be in store for a career-altering season in 2020.

Ohio State football’s top ten players looking ahead to 2020

The 2019 season is done, but we’re looking way ahead to 2020. Here’s Ohio State football’s top ten players for next season.

Are you over the Fiesta Bowl yet? Don’t worry, all in good time.

The 2019 Ohio State football season may be over now, but we’re always looking ahead. We now know more-or-less who will be available for this team in 2020, so we’re taking a stab at ranking the top ten players for the Buckeyes next year, one that promises to be another one in which OSU has a shot at doing some pretty special things.

There will of course be some guys that develop and jump up out of nowhere, but here’s the guys we know and love that’ll be coming to a television set and streaming device near you before you know it.

Next … No. 10

Pages: Page 1, Page 2, Page 3, Page 4, Page 5, Page 6, Page 7, Page 8, Page 9, Page 10, Page 11

WATCH: Ohio State DB Shaun Wade’s “unfinished business” video

Ohio State shared a short video clip of defensive back Shaun Wade and his “unfinished business.”

By now you probably know that Ohio State corner back Shaun Wade has decided to put off the NFL and come back to Columbus for another year. If not, then your welcome and thanks for getting to the party — albeit a bit late.

For Wade, it’s a move that will likely pan out to be a good one. He goes from being the No. 3 corner often on the slot receiver, to the unquestioned No. 1 guy that’ll draw the opposition’s best threat on the outside almost every game. He has the ball skills and athleticism, and it should translate to a year that shows his stock rise.

Ohio State shared a short video montage of Wade and his exploits this past year, complete with some comments that he made during his announcement Saturday. You can watch it here if you haven’t seen it.

I for one an excited to watch what Wade does on the field next year, and you should be too. Getting him for another year is a big win for OSU on the field in 2020.

Potential Dolphins DB draft target announces return to school in 2020

Ohio State cornerback Shaun Wade would have been an excellent fit for the Miami Dolphins — but he’s announced a return to Columbus in 2020.

The Miami Dolphins are going to be in the market for defensive backs this offseason — that much is for sure. After watching the team churn through street free agents to populate the back end of their defense for the final month or so of the 2019 season, fans can be rest assured that reinforcements will be added throughout the course of Miami’s pivotal 2020 offseason. And fortunately for Miami, it is shaping up to be a pretty darn good year to need defensive backs — both in free agency and via the draft.

Not quite as good as what it could have been, though.

The Ohio State Buckeyes will have several talents in the 2020 NFL Draft pool, including star cornerback Jeffrey Okudah. But they won’t have their most diverse defender, who would have served as a home run fit for the Dolphins late in the 1st-round or early in the 2nd-round.

Cornerback Shaun Wade announced yesterday that he intends to return to Ohio State for the 2020 college football season, despite his status as a top-40 prospect in the upcoming NFL Draft. The decision is a calculated one for Wade, who will now get a chance to showcase his skill on the perimeter now that Okudah is off to the pros in 2020. If Miami wants a Buckeye defensive back, they’ll still have two really good ones to choose from in Okudah and fellow cornerback Damon Arnette — but there’s little question Brian Flores would have loved Wade’s versatility as a nickel defender who can play physical inside of five yards of the line of scrimmage but also put opposing receivers on lockdown in man to man coverage.

Wade’s decision should help provide some clarity on the Dolphins’ second wave of picks between the late 1st and early 2nd round of the 2020 NFL Draft.

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Ohio State CB Shaun Wade returning to school for 2020 season

Ohio State cornerback Shaun Wade is passing up the 2020 NFL draft to return to school next season

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One of the top cornerback prospects in the country is returning to school for one more year.

Ohio State’s Shaun Wade is passing up the 2020 NFL draft to play another season for the Buckeyes. Wade made the announcement on Saturday morning in his hometown of Jacksonville.

Widely regarded as a potential first-round pick in the 2020 draft class, Wade’s decision to return for another year will give him a chance to refine his game and boost his draft stock even further. Wade is set to be the veteran leader of what appears to be an inexperienced secondary for the Buckeyes headed into the upcoming season.

A strong performance in 2020 could make him a first-round lock heading into the 2021 NFL draft.

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BREAKING: Ohio State cornerback Shaun Wade coming back for fourth year

Ohio State cornerback Shaun Wade has announced his intentions of returning to Ohio State rather than entering the NFL Draft.

Ohio State got some good news today with the announcement that cornerback Shaun Wade is returning for his junior season. The announcement was made via live stream by Lettermen Row Saturday and will help boost a secondary that’s already losing Jeff Okudah, Jordan Fuller and Damon Arnette.

Wade didn’t get as much publicity as others in a much-improved back-end for Ohio State, but as a third year sophomore, Wade’s absence in the lineup was noticeable at key times this year. The defense wasn’t quite as dominant against Michigan early on, and after he was called for targeting in the first half of the Fiesta Bowl.

Wade finished the year with 25 tackles, two sacks, one forced fumble and one interception in 2019.

Ohio State Football: It may be in Shaun Wade’s best interest to stay one more year

The Ohio State Buckeyes’ cornerback Shaun Wade has unfinished business, and it may be in his best interest to return for his senior season.

Ohio State cornerback Shaun Wade, the second-best in the class of 2017 according to 247Sports, is trying to decide whether or not to come back to the Buckeye squad for another year. It could be said that has unfinished business, and it may be in his best interest to return for his senior season.

But that’s to be determined. We’ll know Wade’s decision soon, as he has made it clear that his decision will come Saturday. For now, it’s anyone’s guess which way the third-year former five-star recruit will opt.

What we have seen at times this year is that Wade’s absence at key moments — namely the Fiesta Bowl — resulted in just a wee-bit of a loss in experience and skill on the outside of the back-end of the defense.

Wade was ejected while the Buckeyes were up 16-0, and the targeting call on Clemson’s Trevor Lawrence seemingly changed the momentum after a dynamic Ohio State start.

After missing all of the 2017 season, Wade has had a bit of a breakout year, but not one that has garnered him the attention of others in the secondary. It’s not that the skill isn’t there, but the dominant spotlight hasn’t been on Wade like it has been for Damon Arnette and Jeff Okudah.

If he returns, he’ll boost his stock tremendously. He’d return as Ohio State’s best cornerback as both Arnette and Okudah are leaving the program, and the program has just one four-star cornerback commit.

A potential return could mean Wade goes from a second-day draft pick to one of the most coveted defensive backs in football. That change in play could mean everything for the 6-1 corner’s NFL career.

That’s why he should stay. Let Ohio State finally give him the platform he needs to show scouts he’s the best in the country.

A top-400 all-time recruit, the skill is there. But, under a new coach, will Wade return to bring that veteran expertise to what may be an inexperienced secondary for the Buckeyes?