Cade Stover on getting involved in passing game: 'That's not up to me'

Cade Stover isn’t Ohio State quarterback Kyle McCord’s top target, but he doesn’t need to be. When On3’s Andy Staples asked the OSU tight end on his involvement in the passing game, Stover didn’t mince words.

“That’s really not up to me,” Stover said. “That’s up to the scheme-wise, progression-wise, coverage, what we got going on that week, and me just making sure I run good routes. Make sure I’m always open. Make sure [Kyle McCord] can trust me with that ball.”

Although Stover doesn’t lead the Buckeyes in receptions this season, he is certainly carrying his weight. The fifth-year senior has tallied 23 receptions for 359 yards and three touchdowns this season. Further, he is yet to record a drop in the 2023 campaign.

Being near the top of the OSU receiving totem pole is an accomplishment. The Buckeyes boast two projected first-round picks in Marvin Harrison Jr. and Emeka Egbuka. Six games into the season, Stover is third among all tight ends nationally in receiving yards per game (59.8).

Stover’s numbers have seen a significant leap this season. In 2022, Stover amassed 36 receptions for 406 yards and five touchdowns. At his current pace, the Ohio native will easily shatter these career-highs.

“Well, he does a lot for us,” Ohio State head coach Ryan Day said after the Buckeyes’ win over Purdue. “I’ve said it before, he does a lot of the ‘dirty work’ for us in the run game. That creates play-action passes.”

A long journey for Cade Stover

Stover is familiar with the dirty work. The 6-foot-4 tight end wasn’t always making spectacular catches. In fact, Stover began his career at OSU as a defensive end. As a second-year player in 2020, he made three tackles and forced a fumble against Michigan State.

After beginning his journey at tight end in 2021, Stover again joined the defense late in the season, this time as a linebacker. Last season, Stover finally found his footing on offense and never looked back. Day wasn’t the only one who praised Stover’s progress.

“I am super proud of how he’s prepared,” first-year Ohio State tight ends coach Keenan Bailey said. “I go back to the offseason and the spring ball and summer and all the work he put in. I’m happy that it’s showing up on Saturdays — that you get to see the dedication that he put in into his craft. 

“The stats will take care of themselves. But we’re going to keep working and see where we’re at at the end of the year.”