Former Ohio State cornerback Shaun Wade was released from the Philadelphia Eagles’ practice squad on Tuesday, ending another brief chapter in the former Buckeyes standout’s winding NFL journey.
Wade, a consensus All-American during his final season with the Buckeyes in 2020, had rejoined Philadelphia on Sept. 24 after spending training camp and the preseason with the team.
The Eagles had initially signed the 28-year-old Jacksonville, Florida, native in mid-June following a productive spring with the UFL’s Dallas Renegades, where he recorded three interceptions and nine pass breakups in eight games.
Philadelphia cut him at the end of August during roster reductions, then brought him back to provide secondary depth.
At Ohio State, Wade’s 2020 campaign marked the peak of a decorated career. After redshirting in 2017 and contributing as a versatile defensive back in 2018 and 2019, he thrived in a shortened pandemic season that saw the Buckeyes reach the College Football Playoff.
Wade earned first-team All-Big Ten honors and the conference’s Tatum-Woodson Defensive Back of the Year award—the first Buckeye to claim the honor.
He was named a consensus All-American after first-team recognition from the Associated Press, Sporting News and American Football Coaches Association.
In eight games that year, Wade tallied 35 tackles, two interceptions (including a pick-six against Indiana that helped secure a 42-35 victory) and four pass breakups while starting at outside corner.
A team captain and five-star recruit out of Trinity Christian Academy, he finished his Buckeyes career with 91 tackles, six interceptions and 19 pass breakups across 35 games.
Selected by the Baltimore Ravens in the fifth round of the 2021 NFL Draft (160th overall), Wade was traded to the New England Patriots before his rookie season.
He appeared in 20 games (six starts) with New England from 2021-23, recording 26 tackles and one pass deflection.
Subsequent stints with the Los Angeles Chargers, Chicago Bears and Renegades preceded his 2026 arrival in Philadelphia. He has not appeared in a regular-season game since 2023.
Tuesday’s move, which also included the release of tight end Josiah Deguara and the addition of tackle Xavier Truss and defensive tackle Zion Wilson to the practice squad, underscores the competitive nature of NFL roster management.
For Buckeye fans, Wade’s release is a reminder of the high expectations that accompanied his All-American season in Columbus and the challenges of translating college success to sustained professional production. His career remains open as he looks for his next opportunity.
