Ohio State cornerback Shaun Wade said Saturday he will return for the 2020 season, posting a photo to social media with the words “I’m back” emblazoned on it.
A redshirt sophomore, he is ranked by ESPN draft guru Mel Kiper Jr. as the No. 6 cornerback in the nation.
His return is a big lift for the Buckeyes, who this week lost underclassmen Chase Young, J.K. Dobbins and Jeff Okudah to the 2020 NFL Draft.
With Okudah’s departure, and with Damon Arnette and Jordan Fuller out of eligibility, the Buckeyes faced the prospect of losing the entire defensive starting backfield.
“I want to do it to show I can play outside corner, I want to do it for the team and I want to win a national championship,” Wade told Ohio State-focused website Lettermen Row. “I feel like we’re going to have a great team next year, and I feel like we’re going to be elite. I want to be part of it.
“It was tough, but at the end of the day I feel like I made the right decision for me.”
In 13 games in 2019, Wade had two sacks, an interception and a forced fumble. He added eight pass breakups and 25 tackles.
Wade played limited minutes for the No. 2 Buckeyes in their loss to No. 3 Clemson in the Fiesta Bowl on Dec. 28. With Ohio State up 16-0. Wade was ejected when he was called for targeting after tackling Tigers quarterback Trevor Lawrence.
The Buckeyes went on to lose 29-23, sending Clemson to the College Football Playoff championship game.