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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
Shaun Wade. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports /

What has gone wrong in 2020

Playing outside the numbers, Wade has struggled mightily for the Buckeyes. While Wade stays in phase in coverage, he has struggled to be disruptive at the catchpoint, failing to locate deep balls and fades. This has allowed for Wade to get absolutely toasted deep down the field and in the corner of the endzone.

He has proven to lack the physicality at the line of scrimmage in press coverage to provide much of a jam on opposing receivers. While his footwork or his phase are not the issues, Wade is routinely losing a step or two immediately off the snap by allowing a free release at the line of scrimmage.

https://twitter.com/BleacherReport/status/1330244524359245827?s=20

While Wade did return an interception for a touchdown for the Buckeyes as they remain undefeated after a win against the Hoosiers, he was also on the receiving end of more than one “Mossings” at the hands of Indiana receivers as well.

This is a common thread, as he got beat in the back of the endzone against Penn State, and deep by Nebraska as well. Instead of using the 2020 season to pad his draft portfolio, he is now setting himself up for a 2021 NFL Draft free fall.

What can Wade do to save what remains of his reputation as the draft is certainly in his sights after the 2020 season?

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