Shaun Wade
FILE - Ohio State head coach Ryan Day yells during the second half of the Sugar Bowl NCAA college football game against Clemson in New Orleans, in this Friday, Jan. 1, 2021, file photo. Ohio State stars leaving early for the NFL happens every winter, but perhaps the more surprising news this time is about the number of important players who've decided to stay.(AP Photo/John Bazemore, File)
Day encouraged by returning players who put off NFL dreams

By Mitch Stacy Jan. 22, 2021 01:52 PM EST

A security officer checks as fans arrive for an NCAA College Football Playoff national championship game between Alabama and Ohio State Monday, Jan. 11, 2021, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)
Ohio State at Alabama 1/11/2021

Jan. 11, 2021 06:51 PM EST

Alabama defensive back Patrick Surtain II (2) looks on against Notre Dame during the Rose Bowl NCAA college football game in Arlington, Texas, Friday, Jan. 1, 2021. Two of the best cornerbacks in the nation, Shaun Wade of Ohio State and Patrick Surtain of Alabama, will have their hands full on Monday night in South Florida. They are possibly the No. 1 and No. 2 NFL prospects at the position — which one is best is a matter of debate that the national championship game could help settle. (AP Photo/Ron Jenkins)
Top cornerbacks will play crucial role in championship game

By Mitch Stacy Jan. 07, 2021 05:26 PM EST

Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence is tackled by Ohio State defensive end Tyreke Smith during the second half of the Sugar Bowl NCAA college football game Friday, Jan. 1, 2021, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
NFL prospects everywhere in Alabama-Ohio State title game

By Ralph D. Russo Jan. 07, 2021 02:28 AM EST

Clemson warms up before the Sugar Bowl NCAA college football game against Ohio State Friday, Jan. 1, 2021, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
Ohio State at Clemson 1/1/2021

Jan. 01, 2021 06:47 PM EST

Alabama fans tailgate outside AT&T Stadium before the Rose Bowl NCAA college football game against Notre Dame in Arlington, Texas, Friday, Jan. 1, 2021. (AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth)
Notre Dame at Alabama 1/1/2021

Jan. 01, 2021 01:47 PM EST

FILE - In this Oct. 24, 2020, file photo, Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney reacts on the sidelines during an NCAA college football game against Syracuse in Clemson, S.C. (Ken Ruinard/Pool Photo via AP, File)
Sugar Bowl features Clemson-Ohio State CFP semifinal rematch

By The Associated Press Dec. 31, 2020 10:31 AM EST

FILE - Ohio State cornerback Shaun Wade (24) is shown during the first half of the Fiesta Bowl NCAA college football game against Clemson in Glendale, Ariz., in this Saturday, Dec. 28, 2019, file photo. Wade was selected to The Associated Press All-America first-team defense, Monday, Dec. 28, 2020. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri, File)
Offense wins championships? CFP defenses face big challenges

By John Zenor Dec. 29, 2020 01:53 PM EST

Northwestern defensive back Brandon Joseph celebrates after intercepting a pass in the end zone during the first half of the Big Ten championship NCAA college football game against Ohio State, Saturday, Dec. 19, 2020, in Indianapolis. Joseph was selected to The Associated Press All-America first-team defense, Monday, Dec. 28, 2020. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
2020 AP All-America Team

By The Associated Press Dec. 28, 2020 12:36 PM EST

FILE - Brigham Young offensive lineman Brady Christensen (67) is shown in action in the first half during an NCAA college football game against Arizona in Tucson, Ariz., in this Saturday, Sept. 1, 2018, file photo. Christensen was selected to The Associated Press All-America first-team offense, Monday, Dec. 28, 2020. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Alabama's Jones, Smith, Harris lead 6 Tide AP All-Americans

By Ralph D. Russo Dec. 28, 2020 12:00 PM EST

FILE - In this Saturday, Nov. 7, 2020, file photo, Indiana head coach Tom Allen looks toward his players on the sideline during a break in the second half of an NCAA college football game against Michigan in Bloomington, Ind. Allen is coach of the year on the Associated Press All-Big Ten football team. (AP Photo/Doug McSchooler, File)
AP All-Big Ten: Ohio State's Fields, Indiana's Allen honored

By Eric Olson Dec. 22, 2020 12:00 PM EST

Ohio State quarterback Justin Fields pauses before the start of the Big Ten championship NCAA college football game against Northwestern, Saturday, Dec. 19, 2020, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Northwestern at Ohio State 12/19/2020

Dec. 19, 2020 12:21 PM EST

Northwestern running back Jesse Brown (1) celebrates with teammates as he holds the Land of Lincoln Trophy after Northwestern defeated Illinois 28-10 in an NCAA college football game in Evanston, Ill., Saturday, Dec. 12, 2020. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
No. 3 Buckeyes have something to prove in Big Ten title game

By Mitch Stacy Dec. 15, 2020 04:54 PM EST

Ohio State defenders, left to right, Baron Browning, Marcus Hooker, and Shaun Wade tackle Indiana receiver Ty Fryfogle during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 21, 2020, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete)
Fryfogle's high-flying act making waves for Indiana, Big Ten

By Michael Marot Nov. 24, 2020 04:07 PM EST

Ohio State running back Master Teague, right, celebrates his touchdown against Indiana with teammate Luke Farrell during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 21, 2020, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete)
No. 3 Ohio State beats back comeback bid by No. 9 Indiana

By Mitch Stacy Nov. 21, 2020 04:20 PM EST

Indiana quarterback Michael Penix looks for an open receive against Ohio State during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 21, 2020, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete)
Indiana at Ohio State 11/21/2020

Nov. 21, 2020 02:11 PM EST

Rutgers quarterback Noah Vedral drops back top pass against Ohio State during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 7, 2020, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete)
Rutgers at Ohio State 11/7/2020

Nov. 07, 2020 09:01 PM EST

Penn State quarterback Sean Clifford warms up for the team's NCAA college football game against Ohio State in State College, Pa., Saturday, Oct. 31, 2020. (AP Photo/Barry Reeger)
Ohio State at Penn State 10/31/2020

Oct. 31, 2020 06:53 PM EDT

Ohio State quarterback Justin Fields throws a pass against Nebraska during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete)
Fields, No. 3 Ohio State expect No. 18 Penn State's best

By Travis Johnson Oct. 30, 2020 03:18 PM EDT

Nebraska quarterback Adrian Martinez throws a pass against Ohio State during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete)
Nebraska at Ohio State 10/24/2020

Oct. 24, 2020 01:43 PM EDT