With The First Pick
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Ohio State Football: How Shaun Wade can save his 2021 NFL Draft stock

By Cory Kinnan

Nov 21, 2020; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Indiana Hoosiers wide receiver Ty Fryfogle (3)makes the catch over Ohio State Buckeyes cornerback Shaun Wade (24) and eventually scored on the play during the third quarter at Ohio Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joseph Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 21, 2020; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Indiana Hoosiers wide receiver Ty Fryfogle (3)makes the catch over Ohio State Buckeyes cornerback Shaun Wade (24) and eventually scored on the play during the third quarter at Ohio Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joseph Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports /
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Shaun Wade
2021 NFL Draft prospect Shaun Wade. Mandatory Credit: Joseph Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports /

The draft stock of Shaun Wade is currently in a free fall

There are fewer players with more regrets in the country than Ohio State cornerback Shaun Wade.

After being frequently discussed as a first round pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, Wade opted to return to Columbus, Ohio for his redshirt sophomore season. He then opted out at the height of the ongoing pandemic, but opted back in after the Big Ten’s return to play. This decision has cost him millions of dollars.

Wade, who played in the nickel role and as a chess piece of the Ohio State defense a year ago, has moved outside the numbers fulltime in 2020. After the departure of both Jeffrey Okudah and Damon Arnette, two first round picks last April, Wade figured transitioning outside the numbers would do the same for his draft stock.

It, however, has not.

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Looking at the box score for Wade in 2020

The 6-foot-1 and 195 pound Wade, after picking four passes off in his career prior to his season, finally picked his first pass off against the Indiana Hoosiers this weekend. He has deflected seven passes in the previous two seasons, forcing his fair share of fumbles as well. As a nickel/chess piece a year ago, Wade racked up four tackles for loss and two sacks as well.

This year, however, Wade has not been able to be deployed in the way he was a year ago. He has only one interception, and has deflected only one pass this season in addition. Not only is there a downtick in Wade’s production in the box score, but on the field as well.

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