HIM: Cade Stover, Tight End, Ohio State University

You should already know about my love for the tight-end (TE) position, which leads us back to Ohio State’s Cade Stover.

My next prospect also so happens to be someone I wrote about last year.

He is also the most underrated TE in the 2024 NFL Draft class. Stover, a hard-working farmer from right in his own backyard of Mansfield, Ohio, is a force to be dealt with.

The more I watch Stover, the more genius and potential I see.

The problem is Ohio State uses him for a fourth or fifth option on every play. That doesn’t stop Stover from doing it all. He’s one of the most complete TEs I’ve ever evaluated (which is saying a lot given last year’s legendary TE class where I handed out four first-round grades).

The Yanish Report

Just watching Ohio State games, Stover pops up constantly. When he is not throwing incredible blocks, he is running over people with the ball in his hands. He does whatever is asked of him. It is just that simple.

Through just three games this season, Stover is on pace to shatter his numbers from last year. From the very start, versus Notre Dame, he was killing it. Split-out wide, inside blocking, it didn’t matter, he was all over the field. On one play that was whistled dead, he was off to the races for a would-be 59-yard touchdown reception.

Stover’s route-running is a sight to see. Hitting the soft parts of zone coverage and drawing double teams is a specialty of his in the passing game. He is hard to tackle and lays one heck of a stiff arm after the catch. It takes a lot to slow this kid down when he is on a mission.

As a converted linebacker (LB), among other positions, his football IQ is completely off the charts. He can line up anywhere on the field. Quarterback Kyle McCord will be trusting him more and more each week. Especially when it comes to bailing him out of difficult situations.

For the win

CBS had it right a few weeks ago when they had the San Francisco 49ers taking him at pick No. 32 to pair with George Kittle. The Niners would present a dream scenario for Stover. Kittle and Stover are a cheeseburger apart at 6-foot-4, 250, and 251 pounds, respectively. He should be called “Farm Kittle” not “Farm Gronk”.

Moving forward into the NFL always presents a challenge. The complexity of an offense at the next level is unmatched. This is especially true with 49ers Head Coach Kyle Shanahan where CBS had him going. I do believe however, Stover will have a seamless transition no matter where he ends up. By year two, he will be a weapon for whatever lucky team that picks him.

In my original evaluation, I put a second-round grade on Stover. Now, every time I hear “Ohio State,” Stover is the man I think of. I personally cannot wait to see the outcome of both the Penn State and Michigan games that are yet to come this season. He is certainly one of the most complete prospects in the entire 2024 NFL Draft, which is why I’ve crowned him with a higher grade.

How Stover stacks up and game film reviewed

My 2024 NFL Draft Value: First Round

2022 Game Film Evidence 

2022 (no. 8)

Iowa

Wisconsin

Michigan

2023 (no. 8)

Indiana

Notre Dame

William Yanish III is a lifelong football fan. He’s from the little town of Crawford, Colorado. Along the way, he’s lived in Dutch Harbor, Alaska, and Brookings, Oregon. Quarterback Joe Montana was his idol growing up. A little bit of CTE from life’s adventures killed his dreams as a football player. Now, he is an aspiring writer and Draft Analyst at FirstRoundMock.com. He’s a fanatic with a dream, which is coming true.