Three prominent Big Ten players received NCAA waivers to play this season after originally opting out to prepare for the NFL when the conference called off fall football in August.
Ohio State cornerback Shaun Wade and guard Wyatt Davis, as well as Michigan tackle Jalen Mayfield, all have been cleared, their coaches confirmed in separate radio interviews.
All three players changed their minds about opting out to prepare for the 2021 NFL Draft after the Big Ten reversed its Aug. 11 decision to push the football season to the fall amid coronavirus fears.
ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. has the 6-foot-1, 195-pound Wade ranked No. 7 among draft-eligible prospects. He was projected as an early round pick in the 2020 draft before opting to return for his senior season in Columbus.
Wade played in all 14 games last season, registering 26 tackles, four tackles for loss, one interception, two forced fumbles and eight pass breakups.
Davis, a 6-foot-4, 315-pound junior, also is a projected first-round pick.
For the Wolverines, Mayfield, a 6-foot-5, 320-pound redshirt sophomore, earned the starting spot last season and played in 13 games. ESPN draft analyst Todd McShay ranked him No. 20 in his initial list of the top 32 draft prospects.
Ohio State will host Nebraska to open the season on Oct. 24. Michigan will play that day at Minnesota, which is waiting find out whether standout wide receiver Rashod Bateman, another projected first-round pick, will be granted a waiver to return.