DE, 6-5, 258

SR-1L

Broken Arrow, Okla.

(Broken Arrow / NEO A&M)

OUTLOOK: Initially UA coaches wanted to redshirt him in 2006 so the transfer could develop some much needed strength. Circumstances dictated otherwise, however, and Wade ended up playing in all 14 games. He had some success in his first season in a Razorback uniform working behind Jamaal Anderson. He earned 15 tackles and showed promise with three tackles for loss (-6). Wade helped himself in the weight room and on the practice field last spring and has positioned himself to be a key contributor this season. He is essentially a co-starter at both end positions although he is officially listed as the backup to Antwain Robinson at right defensive end on the pre-season depth chart.

2006: Wade saw his first action as a Razorback after transferring and provided Arkansas with a reliable reserve at defensive end. He appeared in all 14 games as a junior toiling behind Jamaal Anderson and Antwain Robinson. He racked up 15 tackles, including nine solo and six assisted stops. Wade earned at least one tackle in 10 of 14 contests and two or more stops in four outings. He garnered three tackles for loss (-6) and one sack (-3). He also collected three quarterback hurries. – He played 21 snaps against USC and registered a sack (-3). Wade came back the next week and made three solo tackles, including a tackle for loss (-2) in just eight snaps against Utah State. He played a season-high 10 plays at Vanderbilt, recording one solo and one assisted tackle. Wade recorded his third tackle for loss (-1) of the season in 26 plays against No. 22 Alabama. He finished with two solo tackles against the Crimson Tide and a quarterback hurry. He played six snaps at No. 2 Auburn and recorded an assisted tackle. Wade logged 26 snaps in a non-conference win over Southeast Missouri State, making two tackles and recording one quarterback hurry. He made one assisted tackle against Ole Miss and notched a quarterback hurry on just 16 snaps. Wade played 11 snaps against Louisiana-Monroe but did not make a tackle. He did not play at South Carolina and saw limited action against Tennessee. Wade tallied one assisted tackle in the Hogs win at Mississippi State. He then notched an assisted tackle in the regular season final against LSU. Wade recorded a solo tackle in the SEC Championship Game against No. 4 Florida. He saw limited snaps against No. 7 Wisconsin in the Capital One Bowl. He didn’t register a tackle against the Badgers.

PRIOR TO ARKANSAS: He was named as a NJCAA second-team All-American as a sophomore at NEO for Coach Jeff Alexander. He also earned All-Southwestern Junior College Conference honors. Wade racked up 60 tackles and six sacks in nine games before being sidelined with a knee injury. He helped NEO go 9-3 with a victory in the Dalton Defenders Bowl. He signed with Missouri out of high school. He was also recruited out of junior college by Arizona State, Baylor, Missouri and Kansas State.

PERSONAL: Born Aug. 30, 1985, he is the son of Preston and Gloria Thomas. He is enrolled in the Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences and is majoring in kinesiology with an emphasis on teaching.