Trey Wade had a short, but memorable, career as an Arkansas Razorback. In his lone season in Fayetteville, the 6-6, 220-pound forward worked his way into the starting lineup and was a critical piece in Eric Musselman‘s squad making a run back to the Elite Eight.
His stat line of 3.6 points and 2.6 rebounds over 17.1 minutes per game may seem a bit unassuming, but Wade was a locker room leader, the glue that helped bind the Hogs on the floor and a player whose impact went far beyond the box score. It’s no coincidence Arkansas went 18-4 after he emerged as a started in mid-January.
With his eligibility run dry when it comes to college basketball, Wade is set to turn the page to a new chapter. So, what does the future hold for the Marietta (Ga.) native? Well, one option appears to be a potential change of sports, as his former coach tweeted out earlier this week.
excited for @treywade35 getting an opportunity to participate in @NFL tryouts! Can speak from experience (torn rotator cuff) he is tough and can play through contact ?? ??
— Eric Musselman (@EricPMusselman) April 12, 2022
As it turns out, Wade — who hasn’t played football since the eighth grade — was contacted for a tryout by the Atlanta Falcons, which saw enough in the physical forward to kick the tires and give him a look. Wade talked about the experience in an interview with Tye Richardson and Tommy Craft of The Morning Rush on 99.5 ESPN Arkansas and HitThatLine.com.
“I actually got a text message. I think they called me, and I didn’t answer. I had missed the call,” said Wade. “They sent me a text and I was just like ‘Wow, an actual football team is texting me about football.’ I didn’t know what to think of it. Obviously, I haven’t played in so long, but I just took the opportunity. I got a chance to go back home and see the fam also, so I just took the opportunity and ran with it.
“They just gave me a phone call and said some of the things I do on the court correlate on the field. They think I move pretty well for a big guy, and they just told me to come out.”
It’s hard not to wonder if one of Wade’s past transgressions may have led to the opportunity. Before really establishing himself in the rotation, he found himself inadvertently thrust into the spotlight when it was revealed Musselman’s torn rotator cuff — and subsequent in-season surgery — came as a result of a practice collision with Wade, which is what the head Hog was referring to, jokingly, of course, in his tweet.
“Really, coach was just in the wrong spot kind of at the right time,” said Wade. “We were doing a drill on contesting shots. Coach always wants you to have a high contest. When I was running over there to contest the shot, coach just happened to be walking into the drill a little bit. I jumped in the air and he was just right under me when I was landing.”
All kidding aside, Wade is embracing the possibilities and certainly taking them seriously. He’s made stops at the football practice facility on campus and has been doing his research on guys like Antonio Gates, who have taken similar paths.
“I went over to the football facility just to watch practice and get a feel for the environment,” said Wade. “Those coaches gave me advice. They say everything pretty much everyone else is saying to just take the opportunity. And it’s been done before. It’s not something that hasn’t been done before. So, I’ve looked into that and former players who have done it. It does kind of translate. It’s an interesting situation, and I’m looking forward to it.”
Make no mistake, basketball is still the top priority for Wade, who made headlines with his 15-point, 7-rebound effort in Arkansas’ upset-win over No. 1 Gonzaga in the Sweet 16. While he isn’t appearing on many mock draft boards, Wade is open to the idea of potentially starting his professional career overseas and working his way up the ranks. He admits, though, that football is an intriguing backup plan.
“I’m still pursuing basketball first,” said Wade. “Basketball is still my first love. I’m still pursuing it. I hope I can have a career in that. I think football is a second option for me if basketball doesn’t pan out, but I’m pretty sure it will I’m confident in myself that I can make a career for myself in basketball. But football is a good second option.”
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