Lamont Wade Can Win Big Ten Freshman of the Year In 2017

Look for big things from Lamont Wade in 2017

Back on December 17, cornerback Lamont Wade committed to Penn State. Wade, a Clairton native, was one of the best players in the country in the 2017 recruiting cycle. He was also the Nittany Lions’ highest-rated signee in the cycle.

While Lamont Wade was always going to have a chance to play as a true freshman, it appeared he would not have a chance to start. This was due to Penn State returning their top three cornerbacks in John Reid, Grant Haley, and Christian Campbell. However, this spring, things have changed.

During spring practice, John Reid suffered a serious knee injury. It is possible that Reid could miss the entire 2017 season due to this injury. Therefore, Wade’s role in 2017 just became a lot more important.

Make no mistake about it, Reid is Penn State’s best defensive back. Hell, a strong argument can be made that he is the team’s best defensive player. But Penn State has the talent to motor on at cornerback.

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Grant Haley is a three-year starter at cornerback. He will lock down one of the cornerback positions in 2017. The other spot? Well, it is up for grabs.

Minus games he missed with injury, Christian Campbell has played in every game since he stepped on campus in June of 2014. So Campbell would appear to be in a good spot to lock down the starting job opposite Haley in 2017. The on roadblock standing in his way, however, is Lamont Wade.

Lamont Wade is a grade A athlete. Additionally, he also possesses the skills needed to be a lockdown cornerback. Wade is a physical player and can run with any wide receiver he will see in the Big Ten. There is no reason he can not make an immediate impact in the fall.

Wade was an early enrollee back in January. Due to this, he has been working out with the team since January. This has also allowed him to take part in spring practice.

So far in spring practice, Wade has made a great impression. He has been one of Penn State’s best players this spring and is well on his way to earning plenty of playing time in 2017. Even though he’ll be a true freshman, few cornerbacks in the Big Ten will have as much pure talent as Wade does in 2017.

Not only will Lamont Wade make a big impact on the Penn State defense in 2017, he will also have the opportunity to make an impact on special teams. The Nittany Lions could turn to Wade to return punts and/or kicks in 2017.

When you combine the chance Lamont Wade has to make an impact on both defense and special teams in 2017, he has a very good chance at being the Big Ten’s Freshman of the Year in 2107.

Next: Recruiting Roundup: April 13, 2017

With Reid’s injury, look for Lamont Wade to play a huge role in the Penn State defense in the fall. I expect Wade to be a starter at cornerback, and quickly, for Penn State in 2017. Once this happens, do not be surprised if Wade ends up competing for, and possibly winning, the Big Ten Rookie of the Year in 2017.

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