Announced late Sunday evening, safety and former five-star prospect Lamont Wade has chosen to remove his name from the NCAA transfer portal and remain at Penn State in advance of the 2019 season.

A rising junior, Wade played in all 12 games as a freshman, earning Big Ten All-Freshman honors by BTN.com. He totaled 31 tackles on the season, as well as three pass deflections and a forced fumble. In 2018, Wade totaled 18 tackles, two tackles for loss and a sack, but the majority of his playing time came on special teams. When did play on defense, it was usually late in games.

"After long thoughts, prayers, and conversations, I've came to the decision that I will be removing my name from the transfer portal and continue to pursue my degree which I'm 3 semesters away from completing and getting back to work with my brothers," Wade said via Twitter. "I look forward to making an impact on the field for the 2019 Penn State Nittany Lions. Sometimes we have to make short term sacrifices to achieve our long term goals, and I believe this is what's best for me right now."

Wade is one of 12 scholarship players for Penn State that entered the transfer portal following the 2018 season. Others include wide receivers Irvin Charles, Juwan Johnson and Brandon Polk, defensive backs Isaiah Humphries, Zech McPhearson and Ayron Monroe, tight end Danny Dalton, offensive lineman Alex Gellerstedt, linebackers Dae'lun Darien and Jarvis Miller and defensive lineman Torrence Brown.

A member of the Class of 2017, Wade was the No. 1 cornerback in the country and the top-ranked player in Pennsylvania. He finished as the 11th-ranked player in the nation.