“I played a really nice game” as Texas rookie Cade Stover delivered his best all-around performance

HOUSTON – For Texas rookie Cade Stover, every block, every catch and every play requires a breakdown.

His last performance was probably his best all-around game of the season.

“Anyway, you can win in this league, that helps us,” Stover told KPRC 2. “We’re happy to get the win. It’s always nice when you get a chance to play.

In a 24-20 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars, Stover caught a 27-yard pass over the middle from quarterback C.J. Stroud, his former Ohio State teammate. Stover also made a key block, keeping defenders away from Stefon Diggs for the first career touchdown of the Pro Bowl wide receiver.

Stover played many snaps as a blocking defender and also played as a traditional quarterback. His versatility is an advantage for the defending AFC South champions.

“Cade played a really nice game,” Texas coach DeMeco Ryans said. “First of all, he showed a really good performance in the passing game. He had an explosive device there with Stroud. Really nice route, good hands, good finish on the hook. And after the touchdown, Stef had a block on the touchdown.

“We’re talking about finishing the offense, blocking anyone who gets in the way, and Stover showed up there. Two players left him, CJ was able to get two defenders to drop back on CJ, and Cade is in there with a guy who comes in to make a play and makes a great block. Cade did really well in blocking and Dalton (Schultz) did really better in blocking as well. Both tight ends blocked really well in the running game.

Growing up on a cattle ranch, Stover became accustomed to rural life at an early age. This meant long hours of work, during which he baled and cut hay, cared for animals, and rose at dawn to attend to his daily chores.

Stover loves working with his family on their farm in Mansfield, Ohio, where they grow corn and alfalfa, but most of all, he produces beef for his two butcher shops.

The example of hard work from his father, Trevor Stover, a former Bowling Green player, helped shape Stover. He appeared as Mr. Football at Ohio State, a highly recruited basketball player and eventually became a standout for the Ohio State Buckeyes. His father, in addition to managing the farm, worked in construction.

Now Stover applies those principles to his work as a professional football player after being drafted in the fourth round by the Texans and re-joining Stroud. Working on the farm built Stover’s stamina and desire to one day own a 500-acre farm.

“For me, it built me,” Stover told KPRC 2. “It built me. It built my whole family. Only the hardest working people come from this type of background, blue-collar workers. In fact, I try to continue to advocate for the blue-collar community. I hope to expand this in the near future.”

When the Texans drafted Stover, a rugged, reformed linebacker known for his work ethic in the weight room, the shared enthusiasm between Texans general manager Nick Caserio and Ryans was obvious.

Stover’s work ethic and passion for the game led the Texans to select the Ohio native.

“Whatever it is, it’s elite,” Caserio said of Stover. “This guy is as tough and tough a player as they have ever had in the program. Cade is a good example of a player who only played in tight end for two years. It is definitely not a finished product. He has a mindset and work ethic that needs improvement. Given his upbringing, this guy has everything you could want from a football player and even more. He probably played injured this year. I think he had an MCL, a problem that, honestly, would have limited some other players, but he just pulled himself together and continued to play football.

“He’s probably one of our favorite players in the entire draft, regardless of position, because of his mentality and way of thinking. He is still developing as a player. He played defensive back in the Rose Bowl against Utah two years ago. Now he has been playing hard for two years. Here he is selected in the bottom of the fourth round. We believe his best position is tight end. That’s why we appointed him. The workers as soon as they arrive. Makeup, character traits, endurance, mentality – he’s an elite guy.

Signed to a four-year, $4.758 million contract that includes a signing bonus of $1.189 million, Stover was acquired in a trade to the Philadelphia Eagles.

The Texans traded their 127th overall pick in the fourth round and a fifth-round pick in 2025 to select Stover 123rd overall.

He set simple goals for his debut season, based on team goals rather than individual achievements.

“I just hope I can strengthen this team in any way I can,” Stover said. “Whatever they need me to do, whatever they want me to do. That’s what I’m going to do to help the team and ensure a good season for everyone.”

Stover and Stroud have a close relationship, staying in touch throughout the draft process, including during throwing sessions before Pro Day practice on Stover’s campus, which Stroud attended.

In 2022, Stover caught 36 passes for 406 yards and five touchdowns while also catching passes from Stroud, the NFL Rookie of the Year last season.

So far this season, Stover has two catches for 45 yards.

“It’s an honor for me to play with CJ again,” Stover said after being drafted. “A lot of emotions. I’m excited to contribute in any way I can. He’s a great person and an even better teammate. We were captains together. What he did last season was no surprise to me. This guy is unbelievable.

Stover (6-foot-4, 247 pounds) had no drops last season and provides a strong blocking presence. He ran the 40-yard dash in 4.65 seconds. Stover has a 34.5-inch vertical jump, a 9-9 broad jump and a 4.45 short shuttle.

“For him to be able to play against the Texans and already add value is just amazing,” Stroud said. “He’s a hard-working man. You already know his past with the farm. So I’m very excited about it. He’s doing well. Very smart, great with his hands. He’s just developing his route-running skills, increasing his ability to get open. I’m amazed to have another Buckeye on my team.”

Last season, Stover caught 41 passes for 576 yards and five touchdowns. He was a finalist for the John Mackey Award. He is a converted defensive center back.

“I still look at the game through a defensive lens,” Stover said. “I was born with it; I maintain this defensive mentality no matter where I am. I just try to play attacking with the same mentality and recklessness. I love blocking. I’m going to throw my face into the fire every chance I get.

Aaron Wilson is a Texas and NFL reporter for KPRC 2 and click2houston.com.