Velocity Trained Athletes


Jonathan Wade

Sport(s): NFL Football
Position(s): DB

Biography

PRO: Played in all 32 possible career games, starting two…earned first NFL start vs. Green Bay (12/16/07)…recorded first career interception at Arizona (12/30/07).

2008 SEASON: Played in 16 games with one start…produced a career-high 12 special teams tackles...Week 17 at Atlanta (12/28): Tied a season high with three solo tackles and recorded an interception.

2007 SEASON: Played in 16 games with one start…saw action on defense and special teams…finished season with 21 tackles (19 solo) and one interception…added nine tackles on special teams…returned one kickoff for 19 yards…vs. Carolina (9/9): Made NFL debut…saw action on special teams…at Arizona (12/30): Recorded career-high five solo tackles and notched his first career interception...added a career-high three special teams tackles.

Wade is an emerging talent who came into his own as a senior, his first season as a full-time starter. A versatile athlete, he was originally recruited as a wide receiver, playing with the offensive unit during his first two years at Tennessee before shifting to the defensive backfield as a redshirt sophomore in 2004.
 
Wade also excelled on the Volunteers' track team. He was a member of two of the three fastest 4x100-meter relay teams in school history, capturing 2005 indoor and outdoor All-America recognition. The outdoor 4x100-meter relay team placed third at the NCAA Finals with a time of 38.83 seconds, third best in school history.
 
He was the squad's top 200-meter sprinter in 2004 with a season-best 20.79 and sprinted to the team's best 55-meter time of 7.36 at the Tennessee Invitational. He also anchored Tennessee's 2003 SEC champion and NCAA outdoor runner-up 4x100-meter relay that clocked 38.72 in the NCAA finals, the second-fastest time in Volunteers history.
Wade was an All-America selection by Tom Lemming and Super Prep, adding Class 5A all-state honors as a senior at Evangel Christian High School. He started three seasons at cornerback and twice started as a wide receiver, leading the team to a 54-3 record, three Class 5A state titles and the 1999 national championship.
 
Wade recorded 24 tackles with 30 pass deflections and three interceptions as a senior. He was also an accomplished track-and-field athlete, winning the 200-meter dash title with a time of 20.95 at the 2001 World Youth Championships. He also won the 2001 state 100-meter and 200-meter titles.
 
He set the state record in 200-meters (21.03) and his best 100-meter time was 10.15, earning him Louisiana 2001 Gatorade Track and Field Athlete of the Year and all-state MVP honors in track by The Shreveport Times as a junior. He also excelled in the classroom, earning Principal's List and Honor Roll student accolades.
 
After enrolling at Tennessee in 2002, Wade appeared in the final 12 games, starting three games as a receiver. He caught eight passes for 84 yards (10.5 avg.) and rushed nine times for 78 yards (8.7 avg.). He also played on special teams, posting two tackles.
 
A left shoulder injury against Marshall required surgery, shutting down Wade's 2003 season after only two games. He had a five-yard reception, but lost 10 yards on a reverse. When he returned to the field in 2004, he shifted to left cornerback, starting five of 13 games. While adjusting to his new position, he posted 24 tackles (19 solos) with a pass break-up and a forced fumble.
 
Wade started seven of 11 games he played in during 2005. He came up with 32 tackles (26 solos) with 1.5 stops for losses and a fumble recovery. He batted away five passes and intercepted two others, adding one more tackle on special teams.
 
The All-Southeastern Conference choice started all 13 games at left cornerback in 2006. He was credited with 52 tackles (44 solos) and six stops behind the line of scrimmage. He caused a fumble and posted three special teams stops. He had 13 pass deflections and four interceptions while also gaining 18 yards on a kickoff return.
 
In 51 games at Tennessee (14 on offense), Wade started three times as a receiver and 28 times as a cornerback. He finished with 110 tackles (90 solos) and 7.5 stops for losses of 22 yards. He recovered one fumble, caused two others and posted six special teams stops. He had 19 pass deflections with six interceptions for 112 yards in returns (18.7 avg.), including a touchdown. He rushed 10 times for 68 yards (6.8 avg.), caught nine passes for 89 yards (9.9 avg.) and had an 18-yard kickoff return.