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Ohio State Football loses another potential 2021 NFL Draft first rounder

By Cory Kinnan

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - DECEMBER 07: Shaun Wade #24 of the Ohio State Buckeyes looks on against the Wisconsin Badgers during the Big Ten Football Championship at Lucas Oil Stadium on December 7, 2019 in Indianapolis, Indiana. Ohio State defeated Wisconsin 34-21. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - DECEMBER 07: Shaun Wade #24 of the Ohio State Buckeyes looks on against the Wisconsin Badgers during the Big Ten Football Championship at Lucas Oil Stadium on December 7, 2019 in Indianapolis, Indiana. Ohio State defeated Wisconsin 34-21. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
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Ohio State Football has lost another stud to the 2021 NFL Draft

After losing their stud offensive guard Wyatt Davis to the 2021 NFL Draft a week ago, the Ohio State football program has lost another potential first round pick in the form of cornerback Shaun Wade. After opting to return to school a year ago despite being a likely first round pick in favor of winning a championship at Ohio State, there are few players to feel worse for than Wade.

While the Big Ten continues to discuss the possibility of playing football this Fall, a prospective October start date, Wade, like Davis, could no longer afford to wait with the NFL Scouting Combine on the horizon. He will now have an extended period of time to get his body into shape in order to wow teams on the turf at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis at the end of Winter.

Looking back at Wade’s time with Ohio State Football

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Wade brought a ton of versatility to the Buckeyes’ defense during his short stint in Columbus, Ohio, including seeing snaps at outside cornerback, predominantly in the nickel, and even some snaps at the third level of the defense at safety as well. This versatility will not be forgotten by teams as the 2021 NFL Draft approaches. This makes him an enigma of sorts as he takes his game to the next level.

During his time with the Buckeyes, Wade picked off a total of four passes, including three as a redshirt freshman, he deflected an additional 14 passes, and forced three fumbles as he proved to be an effective blitzer from his nickel spot as well.

Wade’s 2021 NFL Draft outlook

A probable first round pick a year ago, there is little reason to believe Wade will not hear his name called in the top-32 of this year’s draft as well. While he did not get a chance to play outside cornerback fulltime, as he was slated to do in 2020, he shows the hip fluidity and downfield ball skills to do so.

Taking to the tape: What does IOL Wyatt Davis bring to 2021 NFL Draft?. dark. Next

Teams will have some reservations about his ability to play bump-and-run coverage on a consistent basis, and that will be a sticking point, however given his versatility and athletic fluidity, it is well worth the risk for teams, hoping those are traits he either already has hidden in his arsenal or traits that can be coached relatively quickly.

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