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Ohio State Football: Shaun Wade wants to cover DeVonta Smith

By Coop Ledford

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - DECEMBER 07: Shaun Wade #24 of the Ohio State Buckeyes looks on against the Wisconsin Badgers during the Big Ten Football Championship at Lucas Oil Stadium on December 7, 2019 in Indianapolis, Indiana. Ohio State defeated Wisconsin 34-21. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - DECEMBER 07: Shaun Wade #24 of the Ohio State Buckeyes looks on against the Wisconsin Badgers during the Big Ten Football Championship at Lucas Oil Stadium on December 7, 2019 in Indianapolis, Indiana. Ohio State defeated Wisconsin 34-21. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
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The defense for the #3 Ohio State football team will have their hands full when they take on the #1 Alabama Crimson Tide in the National Championship Game on January 11. The Crimson Tide’s explosive offense is led by two Heisman finalists, QB Mac Jones, and WR DeVonta Smith.

Alabama senior WR DeVonta Smith took home the Heisman Trophy on Tuesday night, becoming the first non-quarterback to win the award since Derrick Henry in 2015, and the first wide receiver to win it since Desmond Howard in 1991.

Smith has put up incredible numbers, and leads the FBS in all three major statistical categories; receptions- with 105, yards- with 1,641 yards, and touchdowns- with 20. He was undoubtedly deserving of the prestigious award.

A huge part of the reason why Smith was able to become the first WR to win the Heisman in 30 years, is because of Heisman-level play from his quarterback. Senior QB Mac Jones finished third in Heisman voting. Jones and Smith have undeniably become one of, if not the, most dangerous duos in all of college football, and will pose a massive threat to Ohio State’s secondary.

Ohio State allows 281.1 passing yards-per-game, 12th worst in the FBS. However, senior CB Shaun Wade is ready for the challenge. “You already know who I want to go up against,” said Wade in a Wednesday afternoon press conference. Later on, he confirmed he wants to go up against the Heisman winning WR.

Shaun Wade, while having some underwhelming performances earlier in the season, has improved play and was named an AP All-American. He will be ready for the challenge that is DeVonta Smith and has actually played football with Mac Jones before.

“I’ve known Mac for a long time,” said Wade “Money-maker Mac, that’s what we called him.” Wade and Jones crossed paths in high school, as they both hail from Jacksonville, FL.

Shaun Wade and the rest of the Ohio State football team will face their toughest challenge of the season, and may also have to make preparations for Bama WR Jaylen Waddle, who has returned to practice this week after suffering an ankle injury in late-October.

Next. Bama OL gives Buckeyes bulletin-board material. dark

We will follow-up with any availability updates, for both teams, as they come. The National Championship Game is scheduled for Monday, Jan. 11 at 8 PM, and will be televised on ESPN.

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