Ohio State Tight End Cade Stover Returning For Fifth-Year Senior Season In 2023

Stover's 36 catches this season were the most by an Ohio State tight end since Rickey Dudley caught 37 passes in 1995.

Ohio State redshirt junior tight end Cade Stover announced on Monday morning he will return to Columbus for his fifth-year senior season rather than enter his name into the 2023 NFL Draft.

I AM COMING BACK.

— Cade Stover (@cstov8) January 9, 2023

Stover, a former four-star prospect from Lexington, Ohio, was one of six players named a team captain during fall camp. He then caught 36 passes for 406 yards and five touchdowns in 13 games for the Buckeyes this season.

That was the most receptions by an Ohio State tight end since Rickey Dudley caught 37 passes in 1995. It also surpassed Ben Hartsock's 33 catches in 2003, a notable number in recent years as the coaching staff promised to get the position more involved.

The 6-foot-4 and 255-pound Stover becomes the third draft-eligible Buckeye to announce his return, joining redshirt sophomore running back Miyan Williams and redshirt junior linebacker Steele Chambers, as underclassmen have until Jan. 16 to declare.

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Stover will now look to build upon his breakout season and the leader in a room that is losing sixth-year senior Mitch Rossi and offensive coordinator/tight ends coach Kevin Wilson, who is now the head coach at Tulsa.

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