CJ Stroud calls veteran tight end Cade Stover a 'Lil Gronk'

No. 3 Ohio State has cruised through its first two games without much struggle despite being limited a bit by some injured wide receivers. Of course, the Buckeyes haven’t lacked for weapons even with some star targets out and the absences have created opportunities for players like veteran tight end Cade Stover.

In fact, Buckeyes quarterback CJ Stroud made an eye-catching comparison for the senior tight end.

“We just know with Cade he’s such a big body,” Stroud said. “He’s like a little Gronk, so he definitely has that type of game where if we give him the ball he’s going to make something happen.”

A 6-foot-4, 255-pound tight end from Mansfield, Ohio, Stover hasn’t really been a huge factor in the passing game for the Buckeyes over the past few years. Not enough to merit a comparison to Rob Gronkowski, at least based on production, just yet.

And with those injured receivers about to return to the fold, it’s probably unrealistic to expect some huge uptick for Cade Stover going forward. That said, Stroud says he’s getting more comfortable utilizing the tight end position within the offense.

“I think just being at Ohio State we have a lot of good tight ends,” Stroud said. “(Jeremy Ruckert) was definitely one of the best tight ends I ever played with in my life. Was probably the first true tight end I’ve ever played with. So I know that we were trying to get him the ball more and more last year.”

OSU balancing dangerous receiver group with capable tight ends

One of the interesting things to come from Ohio State’s media sessions this week has been the potential emphasis on the tight end position.

Again, because the Buckeyes have had so many weapons on the outside there hasn’t a ton of need to involve the tight ends. That hasn’t kept them from getting opportunities here and there, though.

Cade Stover has recorded five catches for 54 yards in the first two weeks. He hauled in a 35-yard pass from Stroud over the weekend in a 45-12 win over Arkansas State.

Stroud is trying to find the right balance in the offense, particularly while some of his more explosive weapons are out injured.

“The guys on the outside (last year) were so good and were getting open so quick and things like that that they were kind of demanding the ball just ’cause they were winning every time,” Stroud said of the limited tight end use. “I definitely think that had to play a part in it. Not saying that my guys this year aren’t as winning like they were last year, as you can tell Marvin (Harrison Jr.) and Emeka (Egbuka) are doing a great job on the outside. Then (Xavier Johnson) on the inside right now.”

But, hey, if Stroud can involve ‘Lil Gronk’ a bit more within the framework of the offense, he’s all for it.

“It’s just my job, I try to spread the ball around,” he said. “But at the same time I have to be disciplined to my rules and get the ball to where it has to go every time. So I’m not sure if it’s any different, but I know that Cade is doing a good job getting yards after the catch and things like that. So I definitely think we’ll continue to feed him.”