Penn State safety Lamont Wade has declared for the 2021 NFL Draft, the senior announced his intentions on Twitter, Thursday night.
The Clairton, Pa native leaves Penn State having racked up 153 total tackles and playing in at last 12 games the first three years of his career while starting in all nine of the Nittany Lions’ contests during the 2020 campaign.
Wade registered one career interception, 11 pass deflections and four forced fumbles – three of those coming against Ohio State in 2019, a game in which Wade had 10 total tackles.
Late in his career Wade turned into a strong returner as well, averaging 38 yards per kick off return in 2020 including one long return for a score.
Wade’s departure is likely the last meaningful loss for the Nittany Lion defense that will return corner Tariq Castro-Fields, safety Jaquan Brisker as well as corner Joey Porter Jr among others.
While Wade provided Penn State fans with something of a tumultuous career, nearly transferring before his junior season, the Nittany Lions will look to replace the one final piece to its secondary and coverage unit before the 2021 campaign. It’s uncertain who might fill that role, although redshirt junior Jonathan Sutherland has not announced his intentions for the upcoming season. The Nittany Lions also welcome transfer John Dixon to the fold.
In either case, the Nittany Lions will look to fill the shoes of a longtime fixture in coverage. Be that with a single player or by committee.
