Penn State Football: 3 players with most to prove in 2020

The Nittany Lions secondary was heavily criticized last season, especially after it was torched for 339 yards and three touchdowns in the loss to Minnesota. If the secondary is to improve this year, senior safety Lamont Wade will need to step up his presence.

Wade was a much heralded recruit from Clairton, Penn., in the Lions 2017 class. The four-star prospect was rated by 247Sports as a top 100 player.

Wade saw action in 11 games his freshman year as a cornerback but made a switch to safety before his sophomore year. His stats for his first two seasons were serviceable but considering his high recruiting rankings, Penn State fans were looking for more. In the off season before his junior season, Wade even entered his name into the transfer portal but ultimately decided to come back to Happy Valley.

Last season was his best yet with 67 total tackles, 4.5 for loss and two sacks. In addition he had five passes defensed. Against Ohio State, he played an integral role in keeping Penn State in the game, recording a sack and forcing three fumbles. It was a game the fans had been looking for from Wade since he set foot on campus.

If Penn State’s defense is to be a dominant force in college football this season, it needs to be more than the front seven. The secondary needs to do its part and Wade needs to be an impact player. He now has the experience and can provide plenty of senior leadership to the team.