Penn State Football: 5 breakout candidates to watch in spring 2018

Penn State needs to replace both starting safeties from a year ago. Lamont Wade played cornerback last year as a freshman, mostly filling in as a nickelback. He has now switched positions and will be given an opportunity at safety.

Wade played in 11 games last season, recording 31 tackles and forcing a fumble. The former five star recruit from Clairton, Pennsylvania was the number one high school recruit in the state during the 2017 cycle. With his move to safety, he could play a much larger role for the 2018 season.

The move for Wade makes total sense. The Nittany Lions are very much loaded with depth at the cornerback position and Wade’s talents are too good to keep off the field. It is a completely open race for the two starting positions and Wade will be competing with fellow safeties Nick Scott, Ayron Monroe, and Johnathan Sutherland.

Wade is physically-gifted, versatile, and has a nose for the football. He is not afraid to hit opposing players. Would not be surprised to see Wade earn one of the starting spots and have an outstanding year at his new found position.