Ohio State Buckeyes cornerback Shaun Wade enters NFL Draft

Ohio State Buckeyes cornerback Shaun Wade announced Friday he will not return for his final year of eligibility. He became the first underclassmen from the 2020 roster to enter his name in the NFL Draft.

Wade announced his decision on Instagram four days after Ohio State lost 52-24 to Alabama in the College Football Playoff championship game.

“The past four years at the Ohio State University have been some of the greatest experiences of my life,” Wade wrote on Instagram. “It has given me the opportunity to not only earn my degree but to excel on the field and compete for national championships. My time as a Buckeye has prepared me to pursue the sport I love at the highest level, and I want to thank all who helped me get where I am today.”

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Wyatt Davis, Justin Fields and Josh Myers are among the Ohio State players who could follow Wade into the 2021 draft.

Wade, who’s from Trinity Christian Academy in Jacksonville, Fla., considered entering the draft last year but elected to return for his fourth year in the program. As a redshirt junior, he ranked third on the team with 35 tackles and led the team with two interceptions.