COLUMBUS, Ohio — In an otherwise unsettled picture for the Ohio State football secondary in 2020, Shaun Wade’s return provided stability and strength. The Buckeyes were turning to first-time starters at safety and two cornerback spots after most of last year’s Big Ten championship defensive backs moved on to the NFL. Yet the presence of Wade — a potential first-rounder himself, a preseason All-American, and most crucially a cornerback with all-around talent — galvanized the entire back end of the OSU defense. Now, with Wade declaring he will also skip any upcoming season to prepare for the NFL Draft, the Buckeyes have lost that unit’s leader and perhaps their most important defender. Last season, Ohio State’s cornerbacks benefited from the presence of the nation’s best pass rusher in Chase Young. He has moved on to terrorizing NFL backfields. Even if the returning Buckeyes find a pass rush, some drop-off from…
Continue Reading: What Shaun Wade’s departure means for Ohio State football if the Buckeyes play this fall
