Outside linebacker Cade Stover sent in his Letter of Intent to Ohio State on Wednesday, officially making him a member of the Buckeyes’ 2019 recruiting class.
Here’s a look at what he could mean for the future of the program.
Height: 6’5″
Weight: 235 lbs
Position: Outside Linebacker
Hometown: Mansfield, Ohio
247 Composite Rating: 4-star, No. 106 player overall
Position Rank: No. 5 outside linebacker
When He Committed: April 2018, choosing the Buckeyes over programs likeOklahoma, Wisconsin, Michigan, Notre Dame, Michigan State, Texas, Penn State, Tennessee, Virginia Tech, and others.
Projection: Stover is the kind of player Ohio State fans will absolutely love.
An Ohio native, he grew up on a farm and committed to the Buckeyes with a video that featured him driving a combine.
He’s also a heck of a football player. Stover won Ohio’s Mister Football award for 2018 after a remarkable senior season.
He starred on both sides of the ball, rushing 205 times for 1,497 rushing yards and 18 touchdowns. He added 21 catches for 238 receiving yards and a score.
However, he was even better on defense. Stover recorded 175 tackles, 11 for loss, one sack, two forced fumbles, four interceptions and nine pass breakups.
Mr. Ohio is staying in Ohio ?
Welcome our newest #Buckeye @cstov8! #LBU#GoBucks #Dynasty19 #NSD19 pic.twitter.com/OTO4IxIFjx
— Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) December 19, 2018
That’s where Stover projects at the college level. He will slot in either as a SAM or WILL linebacker for the Buckeyes, positions manned in 2018 by Pete Werner and Malik Harrison, respectively.
He actually played a lot of safety in high school, which will serve him well in college. OSU’s outside linebackers often end up in pass coverage, something Stover has a lot of experience with.
It might take a little time for him to crack the starting lineup, however.
Werner will be back in 2019, and Harrison is still weighing his options. But with guys like Keandre Jones and Dallas Gant also in the mix, Stover will likely spend the first year or so of his career mostly on special teams.
