‘Had a really nice game,’ how Texans rookie tight end Cade Stover delivered his best all-around performance

HOUSTON – For Texans rookie tight end Cade Stover, every block, every catch and every game are something to be compartmentalized.

His latest performance was arguably his best all-around game of the season.

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

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 delivered a key block, walling off defenders, from Stefon Diggs on the Pro Bowl wide receiver’s first career touchdown run.

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Stover has played a lot of snaps as a blocking fullback in addition to lining up as a traditional tight end. His versatility is a plus for the defending AFC South champions.

“Cade had a really nice game,” Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said. “First of all, really nice in the passing game he showed up. He got an explosive there with [Stroud]. Really nice route, good hands, good finish on the catch. And on Stef’s touchdown, he had the touchdown block.

“We talk about finishing the down on somebody, block whoever is in the way and Stover showed up there. Two guys left him, C.J. was able to get two of the defenders to pull out on C.J. and Cade is right there with a guy coming in to make the play and he throws a great block. Cade has been doing a really good job blocking, also with Dalton [Schultz] did a really better job of blocking. Both tight ends blocked really well in the run game.”

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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 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.”

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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.

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.

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

“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.”

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Stover (6-foot-4, 247 pounds) had zero 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 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.”

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