Former Ohio State standout to make NFL debut for Patriots on TNF

Ohio State fans will recognize one of the New England Patriots’ cornerbacks Thursday night. Cornerback Shaun Wade will make his NFL debut against the Falcons on Thursday Nigh Football, the team announced.

Wade started his career with the Baltimore Ravens, but was traded to the Patriots during the preseason. He starred at Ohio State from 2017-20 before Baltimore took him in the fifth round of the 2021 NFL Draft, earning first team All-Big Ten honors his senior year.

Wade was a big reason why Ohio State made the 2019 College Football Championship, but he got ejected from that game for targeting. He decided to go back to Columbus for another year to finish his degree, and his draft stock dipped as a result.

During his career at Ohio State, Wade had 91 tackles, including five tackles for loss and two sacks. He also had 19 pass breakups and six interceptions in the secondary while becoming the first Buckeye to win Big Ten Defensive Back of the Year as a senior.

He came to Ohio State as a five-star recruit and the No. 3 recruit in the state of Florida, according to the On3 Consensus, a complete and equally weighted industry-generated average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. Now, he’ll be set to make his NFL debut in primetime on Thursday Night Football.

Kickoff between New England and Atlanta is coming up at 8:20 p.m. ET on the NFL Network and FOX.

Why former Ohio State star Shaun Wade fell down the NFL Draft board

After coming back for his senior year, Wade’s name fell down NFL mock drafts. ESPN analyst Mel Kiper Jr. explained his reasoning for the plummeting draft stock at the time.

“Wade just didn’t have the cover skills this year playing outside that he did when he was in the slot,” Kiper said. “I think he could end up being an inside safety type or a slot corner, where he felt more comfortable rather than being out on an island. He’s going to be an interesting guy.

“I think he would’ve been a first-round pick had he played up to the level you expected or certainly as he did in 2019 when he was playing in the slot.”

Even though he didn’t hear his named called when he wanted to, Wade still said he made the right call going back to Ohio State.

“Oh yeah, definitely [returning] was worth it,” Wade said. “I see myself growing as a man and as a team, and all the young guys growing as men, all the things that we went through, the adversity. I’m happy I came back, and I’m just glad we got here. I’m upset we didn’t get the win, but I’m definitely happy I came back and accomplished some big things with this team.”