‘Did a really good job,’ Texans rookie tight end Cade Stover doubles as lead blocking fullback on big rushing day

HOUSTON – Joe Mixon lined up in a classic I-formation for a bit of old-school, rock-em, sock-em football with a chance to close out the Indianapolis Colts.

Clinging to a 29-27 lead at Lucas Oil Stadium, Mixon ran behind his shoulder pads and a strong lead block from rookie tight end Cade Stover. Stover lined up at the fullback position where he looked comfortable and physical all game. And Stover knocked safety Julian Blackmon out of the way, clearing a bigger path for Mixon to convert a key third down for a nine-yard run that allowed quarterback C.J. Stroud to kneel twice to end the game and cap a season-opening victory.

After the game, Mixon made it a point to shout out his blockers, including Stover as the former Ohio State standout participated in his first NFL game.

“Yeah, so I mean, basically it was meant to go frontside,” Mixon said. “And basically, the linebacker screened over the top and just canceled his gap or just replaced his gap where he was supposed to go and made him pay for it. So, I’m just glad I was able to close it up in a crucial moment.”

A former Big Ten Conference Tight End of the Year who plays the game with a rugged style, Stover is a capable blocker who quickly engages defenders.

“Our tight ends did an outstanding job, was a lot of talk on the offensive line and what they did,” Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said. “As you watch it, our tight ends allowed us to get the edge a lot and we used Cade at the fullback position, we used Dalton [Schultz] at the fullback position. Just as many different ways as possible that we can utilize personnel.

“One thing about Cade is that from the moment he stepped in our facility he has been very smart and on it. Anything that we have asked him to do, he is ready to go. He doesn’t make mistakes, and that is a lot being said for a rookie. He doesn’t make a lot of mistakes, he is where he is supposed to be and he enjoys playing the game of football. So for him to get at that fullback position, he was ready for it and he did a really good job of it.”

Stover has been as advertised.

Stover didn’t have any catches or targets. He just blocked and blocked and blocked.

“Cade has been the guy we saw on tape at Ohio State, just tough,” Ryans said. “Making tough competitive catches, finishing strong with the football. Tough, physical, competitive, finishing and like loving football.”

Growing up on a cattle farm, Stover became accustomed at an early age to the farming life. That meant long hours as he baled and cut hay, tended to animals and rose at the crack of dawn for his daily chores.

Stover loves working alongside his family on their farm in Mansfield, Ohio that included corn and alfalfa, but, mainly, producing beef for the two butcher shops they own.

The hard-working example of his father, Trevor Stover, a former Bowling Green tight end, helped mold Stover. He emerged as Mr. Football in the state of Ohio, a highly recruited basketball player and, ultimately, became a standout for the Ohio State Buckeyes. His father worked construction jobs in addition to leading the way on the farm.

Now, Stover applies those principles to his job as a professional football player after being drafted in the fourth round by the Texans and reuniting with former Buckeyes Heisman Trophy finalist quarterback C.J. Stroud. Working on the farm built toughness in Stover along with a desire to one day own a 500-acre farm.

“To me, it built me,” Stover told KPRC 2. “It built my pops. It built my whole family. Just the hardest working people come from that kind of background, that blue-collar background. So, that’s really what I try to do is keep putting on for the blue-collar community. I’m looking forward to hopefully expand that in the near future.”

When the Texans drafted Stover, a gritty converted defensive player known for his work ethic in the weight room, Texans general manager Nick Caserio and Ryans’ shared enthusiasm was obvious.

The work ethic and passion for the game Stover possesses prompted the Texans to draft the Ohio native.

“Whatever it is, it’s elite,” Caserio said of Stover. “This guy is as tough, hard-nosed a player they had in the program. Cade is a good example of a player that only played tight end for two years. He’s certainly not a finished product. He has the mindset and work ethic to improve. How he was raised, this guy is everything you want in a football player and then more. He probably played hurt this year. I think he had an MCL, an issue where quite frankly it would have limited some other players, but he just braced it up and kept playing football.

“This is probably one of our favorite football players in the entire draft, regardless of position, because of his mentality, because of his mindset. And, he still is developing as a player. Two years ago, he was playing defensive end in the Rose Bowl against Utah. Now he’s played tight end for two years. Here he is getting picked in the bottom of the fourth round. We think his best position is tight end. That’s why we drafted him. Blue-collar as they come. Makeup, traits, toughness, mentality, this is an elite guy.”

Signed to a four-year, $4.758 million deal that includes a $1.189 million signing bonus, Stover was acquired after a trade with the Philadelphia Eagles.

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

He has set simple goals for his rookie season based on team goals, not individual accomplishments.

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

Stover and Stroud have a close relationship, staying in touch throughout the draft process, including having a throwing session before Stover’s campus Pro Day workout that Stroud attended.

“Such an honor to play with C.J. again,” Stover said after being drafted. “A lot of emotions. I’m excited to contribute any way I can. He’s an awesome human being and an even better teammate. We were captains together. It was no surprise to me what he did last season. The dude is unbelievable.”

Stover (6-foot-4, 247 pounds) had zero drops last season and provides a strong blocking presence. He has run the 40-yard dash in 4.65 seconds. Stover has a 34 1/2 inch vertical leap, a 9-9 broad jump and a 4.45 short shuttle.

“For him to be able to come on the Texans and already add value is just amazing,” Stroud said. “He’s a hard worker. Y’all already know his background with the farm. So, I’m very excited for him. He’s been doing well. Very smart, very great with his hands. Just growing his route running, growing his ability to get open. I’m amazed to have another Buckeye on the team.”

Stover caught 41 passes for 576 yards and five touchdowns last season. He was a finalist for the John Mackey award. He’s a converted defensive end and linebacker.

“I kind of still see the game through a defensive lens,” Stover said. “I was born with that, I keep that defensive mentality no matter where I’m at. I just try to play offense with that same mentality and recklessness. I love blocking. I’m going to throw my face in the fire every chance I get.”

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

He’s being mentored by Schultz and Brevin Jordan.

“It is a great room, a lot of really great guys,” Stover said. “I am really close with a lot of those guys. Everybody helps each other, it is really nice learning from Dalton, Brevin, and those guys. Dalton has done it for a really long time, so he helps me a lot with things that really aren’t coachable things.”

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