After a week of mostly bad news around the Ohio State football program, redshirt sophomore cornerback Shaun Wade has provided some very good news by announcing his decision to return to OSU for his redshirt junior season. He announced his decision via a YouTube video from Lettermen Row.
Wade has been projected as highly as a late-first round pick in the 2020 NFL Draft. By coming back, he will no doubt hope to improve his stock by also showcasing his ability to play outside corner instead of just his customary inside corner spot that he played in 2019.
Wade was a Third-Team All-Big Ten selection this past season. He finished with 25 tackles, 4.0 tackles for loss, 2.0 sacks, one interception, eight PBUs, and one forced fumble.
The Ohio State defense had a major overhaul last offseason. Co-defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley brought in a system with one deep safety and three corners. Wade played the slot corner, and did it very well.
In fact, the defense was at its best when Wade was on the field. When he wasn’t on the field, it was extremely noticeable.
Wade missed the Michigan game. In that game, Wolverines quarterback Shea Patterson threw for 250 yards in the first half.
When Wade was ejected from the Fiesta Bowl for sacking Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence, the Tigers immediately went on a 21-0 run. And then when Clemson needed a score in the last two minutes, they threw the ball right down the field without any problem.
With Wade returning, the Buckeyes avoid losing all four starters from the secondary and they now know where to start their foundation.
Cameron Brown and Sevyn Banks will be third-year cornerbacks in 2020 and played extensively this past season. They are expected to be ready to make the move into the starting lineup.
Josh Proctor will also be entering his third season in 2020, but as was shown in the Fiesta Bowl, he still has a ways to go to be able to be the last line of defense as well as Jordan Fuller was in 2019.
But in getting Shaun Wade back, the Buckeyes will have the best cornerback in the Big Ten and one of the best defensive backs in the nation, and that’s a pretty good start to building a new secondary.
Don’t lose faith in Proctor just yet. I remember Hooker looking just as bad, the year before he became a starter and he was playing in garbage time.
I agree with almost everyone’s comments. Great news about Shaun Wade.
What a noticeable difference without him on the field. Riep came in and immediately targeted. Whoever is the new DB coach will have his hands full trying to shape up the new secondary. Proctor was about as bad as Riep, and Banks and Cameron Brown being next up is problematic at best.
Thank God for Wade!
2020 nickname for Sean Wade………The Fulcrum.
Very good decision by Wade and a positive for the Buckeyes for 2020! Glad Wade is looking at the big picture of life instead of the microcosm of “get my $$ now” approach we see in so many instances (see Hafley, Yurchich, Haskins, et.al…) Good decisions by Dobbins, Okudah, and Young. Wade can grow into a lock down corner and be a star of the DBs.….oh yeah, and get his degree! I never would advise RS Sophs to come out at any position.
This is HUGE! I am a little surprised but I think it is a good choice for him. He has a chance to move into the top ten in next years draft. He will get all the attention that Jeff got this year. Sounds like Kerry Combs is coming back also according to Bucknuts via rummer mill.
GREAT NEWS!
Not the decision I expected or would have advised…but damn glad it’s the decision he made. Wade and Proctor give us a good foundation for the secondary. We have to find three real every down guys between Brown, Williamson, Banks, and Reip… all have a huge leap to make! Had we not lost Brendan White we would be looking VERY solid for 2020 secondary.
The competition should be good. I think Williamson and Banks will emerge.
As far as I can tell, Brendan White has not committed to a new team. Maybe with a new coach he reconsiders.
I thought he already ended up at Rutgers?
Dec. 27 it was announced…
Chris if you think Proctor is a foundation, you better take a look at the Clemson game again. A6′ 6″ 225 lb QB gives him a move and he looks pathetic, what do you think RBs and WRs will do? it looks to me like he cant play at that level. And White was so talented he went to Rutgers
Proctor is more physical than Fuller could ever dream of being. Is he a finished product, No. But I dont think he should be written off yet either…especially not over one play on a slippery field against a guy who is going to go #1 overall. Just saying…
wow–we needed some good news this week after the football “loss” and 2 basketball losses..he will elevate himself to higher draft status and bring some stability to the secondary–imo the weakest area heading into next year (along with RB)…very glad he is staying!…imagine if we had one year of everyone staying..if Chase, Dobbins, Okudah had stayed….
of importance to ‘standards’ and brotherhood,
one man’s sacrifice kept the promise of 3 boys 3 light-years ago… alive.
Now the 2020 team…decides how to light and carry the torch of their choices.
GO BUCKS!
HUGE retention for the Buckeyes. He’ll be a Captain AND a fulcrum for the defense in 2020.
Thanks Sean………now go tear it up.