Dude, the NFL Draft was insane for Cade Stover, that tight end from Ohio State! The Houston Texans snagged him in the 4th round, which means he's officially going from college ball to the pros! Talk about awesome!

The Buckeye Years

Stover totally crushed it as a tight end for the Buckeyes. Dude was a beast on the field – tall (like, 6'4"!), strong (we're talking 247 pounds!), and crazy athletic. Cade Stover was a beast out there! This Ohio State tight end reeled in amazing catches, laid down huge blocks, and never gave up. Last season (2023) was insane for him - 41 catches for 576 yards and 5 touchdowns! No wonder he won the Kwalick-Clark Big Ten Tight End of the Year award and made the first-team all-Big Ten Conference. Those 41 receptions and 576 yards are also the third most in a single season for Ohio State!

The NFL Combine

As draft day got closer, scouts were checking out Stover's performance at the NFL Combine. He did alright – good size, decent speed, and a solid jump. But some folks thought he might take a while to develop in the pros, maybe not become a superstar. The Texans, though, saw something special in him.

Here are his testing results from the combine:

40-Yard Dash: 4.65 seconds
10-Yard Split: 1.59 seconds
Vertical Jump: 34.5 inches
Broad Jump: 9 feet, 9 inches
20-Yard Shuttle: 4.45 seconds

The Texans' Pick

When they picked Stover at number 123, Texans fans were curious how he'd fit into their plays. Their coach, DeMeco Ryans, seemed to think Stover's flexibility would be a big asset, mentioning he could catch passes and block too. The big question though, was whether Stover could handle the jump from college to the NFL. The Houston Texans have a few tight ends on their roster. One notable player is Dalton Schultz. Schultz has been a reliable target in the passing game and has made significant contributions to the Texans’ offense.

C.J. Stroud's Influence

Well, guess who was already having a great rookie year with the Texans? Yep, Stover's old college teammate, quarterback C.J. Stroud. Stover wasn't surprised – he always knew Stroud was destined for greatness. They had this amazing connection at Ohio State, and now they get to team up again in the pros!

Conclusion

So there you have it. Cade Stover's rocking the Texans jersey now, and Buckeye Nation is behind him all the way. Whether he becomes a superstar or a key contributor, one thing's for sure: this is just the beginning for Stover. Keep an eye on this tight end – he's gonna be fun to watch in the NFL!