After a mixed 2020 season at Ohio State, cornerback Shaun Wade enters the 2021 NFL Draft with his stock murky. When asked Friday afternoon on NFL Network by NFL Now show host Andrew Siciliano about what he tells teams about this past year, Wade was direct.
"I just tell them COVID happened, injury happened, surgery happened, knee problem happened, toe happened, family situation happened — so, yeah, I was going through a lot of things," Wade said. "Games counted and the season counted, happened, so it's a part of the process. God works in mysterious ways, so I just try to take it day by day and leave it in His hands."
The 6-foot-1, 195-pound Wade totaled 92 tackles (five for loss), six interceptions and three forced fumbles as a three-year cornerback at Ohio State in 35 games from 2018-20.
"Definitely inside, I got my reps at," Wade said. "Outside, barely. I didn't start practicing that until September, our camp — which really wasn't a camp. So it is what it is, but I'm just going to continue getting better. I know what I can do on the field. If a team needs me to play safety, I'll play safety — corner, nickel, star. It doesn't matter. I can do it all."
After starring inside as a third-year sophomore during the Buckeyes' 2019 season, Wade's move outside for the 2020 campaign came with a learning curve while battling injuries and other elements.
"After surgery, getting the toe right, toe is way, way better now," Wade said. "Had a pro day the other day, did good there. So I'm just, like I said, enjoying the process. I can't wait until this process is over and get to join my new team for real."