Shaun Wade Returning for Ohio State is Massive News for the Big Ten
Shaun Wade's Ohio State career could have ended on a sour note after he was ejected on a controversial targeting call against Clemson in the Fiesta Bowl.
Wade could have joined both Chase Young and J.K. Dobbins in leaving school early and declaring for the NFL Draft. He has instead decided to return and try to end his Buckeyes career on a better note.
Ohio State DB Shaun Wade, a former Trinity Christian Star, will bypass the NFL draft and return to Buckeyes for junior season. Wade had 25 tackles, 2 sacks, INT. pic.twitter.com/QZm64jHxHU
— Justin Barney (@JustinBarneyTV) January 4, 2020
Wade returning to Ohio State is huge for his school and for the Big Ten. Young and Dobbins are leaving. Wisconsin's Jonathan Taylor is also leaving early, and rightfully so.
Shaun Wade makes it official. He's putting off the NFL and remaining at Ohio State for his redshirt junior season.
— Colin Hass-Hill (@chasshill) January 4, 2020
A big, big boost for the Buckeyes' secondary, which loses Jeff Okudah, Jordan Fuller and Damon Arnette this offseason.
Wade returns as a star on the Buckeyes defense and keeps some top upperclassmen talent in the conference. The Big Ten wants a team in the College Football Playoff and Ohio State remains the top option. Having a great corner like Wade on the team increases the likelihood of the Buckeyes remaining elite.
The corner staying in school also sets him up to be a top draft pick in 2021 if he builds upon his recent success. That's another prestigious element that helps keep the Big Ten squarely in the forefront of the CFB landscape.