Ohio State Buckeyes TE Cade Stover Named John Mackey Award Finalist

Stover finished second among Buckeyes receivers in receiving yards and receptions.

Marvin Harrison Jr. isn't the only Ohio State player garnering individual accolades for his success in 2023. 

Buckeyes' Cade Stover was named a finalist for the John Mackey Award Tuesday. The Mackey Award is given out each season to the nation's top tight end. 

Stover has been the Buckeyes' second-most consistent pass-catcher behind Harrison, who was named a finalist for the Biletnikoff Award after posting his second consecutive 1,000-yard season. In 11 games, the senior tight end caught 41 passes for 576 yards and five touchdowns. 

Last season, Stover transitioned fully to tight end after beginning his career playing both sides of the ball. He finished with 36 receptions, 406 yards and five scores as part of the nation's No. 2 scoring offense. 

Stover joined Georgia's Brock Bowers and Colorado State’s Dallin Holker as finalists for the honor. Bowers, last year's Mackey Award winner, is the favorite to become the first-ever two-time recipient. 

Bowers suffered an ankle in early October but rebounded to finish the season on a solid note. He totaled 51 catches for 661 yards and six TDs in nine games while helping the Bulldogs continue their current 29-game win streak. 

Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. (18) celebrates the touchdown with tight end Cade Stover (8) and wide receiver Julian Fleming (4) during the first quarter against the Michigan State Spartans / Joseph Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports

Holker, a 6-5 playmaker who led all FBS tight ends in receptions, finished with 64 catches for 767 yards and six scores in 12 games. Holker also led all FBS tight ends in receiving yards and averaged 12 yards per catch. 

Since the award was established in 2000, no one from Ohio State has previously won the coveted title. Stover is the first tight end in program history to be nominated as a finalist.

Ohio State WR Marvin Harrison Jr. Named Biletnikoff Award Finalist

The winner of the John Mackey Award will be announced on Dec. 8 at The Home Depot College Football Awards Show on ESPN.