Cade Stover Bio
Cade Stover is an American professional football tight end for the Houston Texans of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Ohio State Buckeyes and was selected by the Texans in the fourth round of the 2024 NFL draft. Standing 6 feet 4 inches tall and weighing around 252 pounds, Stover is a sizable pass catcher who developed into a featured part of the Texans’ offense during his rookie season.
Before reaching the NFL, Stover earned recognition as one of the top high school players in Ohio and became a reliable contributor at one of the most prominent programs in college football. His path from a multi-sport prep star in central Ohio to a fourth-round NFL pick reflects steady development and positional versatility.
Early Life and Background
Cade Stover was born on June 12, 2000, in Mansfield, Ohio. He grew up in the region and later attended Lexington High School in Lexington, Ohio, where he emerged as one of the most decorated athletes in the state. As a senior, he was named Ohio’s Mr. Football and the Ohio Gatorade Player of the Year, signaling his status among the top high school prospects in the country.
During his senior season, Stover rushed for 1,477 yards and 17 touchdowns on offense while also recording 163 tackles and four interceptions on defense. That two-way production showcased the speed, physicality, and football instincts that would later define his career. Beyond football, he set Lexington’s all-time scoring and rebounding records in basketball, highlighting the athleticism and competitive drive that carried over to his football trajectory.
Rated a four-star recruit, Stover drew scholarship offers from several top programs, including Michigan, Oklahoma, Penn State, Texas, and Wisconsin. He ultimately chose to continue his career at Ohio State, a decision rooted in his regional ties and the appeal of playing for one of college football’s flagship programs. The choice set the foundation for his development as a versatile defensive and offensive prospect.
Path to American Football
Stover arrived at Ohio State with a reputation as a hard-hitting defender and was initially recruited to play linebacker. Before his freshman season, the coaching staff moved him to defensive end, giving him a chance to use his size and motor on the edge. He appeared in four games during that first year before redshirting the season, an early step in a long string of positional adjustments.
During spring practice in 2020, Stover was shifted to tight end, marking the beginning of his transition to offense. The move opened new possibilities, though he returned to linebacker later in the season as the coaching staff continued to evaluate his role. That pattern of position changes continued into his redshirt junior season, when he was again moved to tight end and caught five passes for 76 yards while also seeing time at linebacker in the 2022 Rose Bowl due to a positional shortage.
His breakthrough came in 2023, when he was one of three finalists for the Mackey Award, given annually to the nation’s best tight end. That same season, he was recognized as the Big Ten Tight End of the Year and earned first-team All-Big Ten honors, capping a long road that took him from linebacker recruit to standout pass catcher. His development positioned him as a clear NFL prospect heading into the 2024 draft.
Cade Stover Career
Early Career (2019-2022)
Stover’s first years at Ohio State were defined by versatility and steady learning. After redshirting his initial season on the defensive line, he bounced between linebacker and tight end, picking up experience in multiple schemes. He played sparingly on offense during his first three active seasons, with five receptions for 76 yards during his redshirt junior year serving as one of his most notable statistical contributions.
He also earned third-team All-Big Ten recognition in 2022, a sign of his growing impact despite the limited offensive role. Special-teams play and situational defensive snaps rounded out his responsibilities, helping him develop the toughness and dependability that NFL scouts value in tight end prospects.
Ohio State Breakthrough (2023)
The 2023 season was the turning point of Stover’s college career. Operating as a featured tight end, he became a dependable target in the Buckeyes’ passing game and a physical presence in the run-blocking scheme. His performance earned him Big Ten Tight End of the Year and first-team All-Big Ten honors, cementing his status as one of the conference’s premier players at his position.
Reaching the finalist stage for the Mackey Award placed him among the top tight ends in college football and significantly boosted his draft stock. The combination of production, size, and special-teams experience made him an appealing prospect for NFL teams looking for a well-rounded player at the position.
Houston Texans Era (2024-Present)
Stover was selected with the 123rd overall pick in the fourth round of the 2024 NFL draft by the Houston Texans. During his rookie campaign, he made 15 appearances with nine starts, recording 15 receptions for 133 yards and one touchdown. Those numbers reflected a learning year in which he adapted to NFL speed and coverage while earning an expanding role within the offense.
His second season began with a four-reception, 22-yard outing in Houston’s season-opening game against the Los Angeles Rams, but a broken foot suffered in that contest placed him on injured reserve on September 10, 2025. He was activated ahead of the team’s Week 11 matchup against the Tennessee Titans on November 15, marking his return to the active roster and a continuation of his development within the Texans’ tight end group.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among the highlights of Stover’s career are his 2023 Big Ten Tight End of the Year award, his first-team All-Big Ten selection, and his third-team All-Big Ten nod in 2022. His selection in the 2024 NFL draft and his recovery from a broken foot during the 2025 season also stand as meaningful markers of his early professional journey.
Cade Stover Career Highlights
Across his college and professional career, Cade Stover has built a résumé that includes conference-level recognition, an NFL draft selection, and steady contributions on offense and special teams. His Big Ten Tight End of the Year and All-Big Ten selections highlight his college impact, while his rookie production with the Texans points to a growing role at the professional level.
College Highlights
At Ohio State, Stover earned third-team All-Big Ten recognition in 2022 and was named Big Ten Tight End of the Year in 2023. He was also a finalist for the Mackey Award, recognizing the nation’s top tight end. He was a four-star recruit out of Lexington High School, where he was honored as Ohio’s Mr. Football and the Ohio Gatorade Player of the Year.
NFL Highlights
As a rookie with the Houston Texans, Stover played 15 games with nine starts, totaling 15 receptions for 133 yards and one touchdown. He opened his second NFL season with four receptions for 22 yards against the Los Angeles Rams before a broken foot led to a stint on injured reserve. He returned to the active roster in November 2025 ahead of a Week 11 matchup against the Tennessee Titans.
Cade Stover Family
Personal Life
Cade Stover was born and raised in Mansfield, Ohio, and attended Lexington High School in nearby Lexington. His multi-sport background, including record-setting play in basketball, points to a well-rounded upbringing centered on athletics and competition. He continues to be recognized publicly through his social media presence as he builds his professional career.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season began with promise for Cade Stover, who posted four receptions for 22 yards in the Houston Texans’ opener against the Los Angeles Rams. A broken foot sustained in that game, however, placed him on injured reserve on September 10, 2025, forcing him to step away from the active roster during the early portion of the schedule.
Stover was activated on November 15, ahead of the team’s Week 11 matchup against the Tennessee Titans, giving him an opportunity to rejoin the offense in the second half of the season. His return adds depth to a Texans tight end group looking for consistent production in both the passing game and blocking schemes.
Looking ahead, the Texans will look to integrate Stover back into a regular rotation as he regains full health. His combination of size, blocking ability, and developing receiving skills makes him a long-term piece of the team’s offensive plan, with the back half of the 2025 season serving as an important test of his continued growth.