Big Ten Title Game: Five 2020 NFL Draft Prospects to Watch

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Shaun Wade 24

Scouting Report

If you hadn’t figured out your thoughts on Shaun Wade yet as a prospect, let last Saturday’s game against Michigan tell you what you need to know. His absence due to injury was felt as the Ohio State secondary was noticeably different without him. Wade allows the team to play a majority of their snaps in nickel defense, that’s how talented and versatile he is.

Wade has the ability to be the ultimate chess piece for a defensive in today’s game that is heavily based on matchups. He has very good athletic ability and hip fluidity to play on the outside as a corner. A lot of his tape is him playing in the slot which gives you very good insight into his ability to become an elite nickel in the NFL.

He shows the speed to run with smaller slots stride for stride. The strength and size aspects are there for him to be a guy who erases tight ends as well. The best part of his game is watching him being a force in run support. He consistently blows up blockers with a vengeance and showing the ability to be a consistent block shedder. Wade sets the edge of the defense which is a necessity for a nickel defender and is a very good tackler in space.

The enigma of this year’s cornerback class due to a lack of film as an outside corner, Wade shouldn’t be limited to only playing corner at the next level. He can be a valuable piece that can impact a game at any moment from any spot on the field. Look for Shaun Wade to be a big impact player who makes plays all over the field Saturday night.