Draft Prospect Cade Stover Wants to 'Reunite' with Texans' C.J. Stroud

NFL Draft prospect Cade Stover wants to be reunited with his former Ohio State teammate and now Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud.

HOUSTON -- The tight end core appears to be a set position group for the Houston Texans. They re-signed Dalton Schultz to a three-year contract Tuesday morning, and Brevin Jordan could be on the verge of a career year in 2024 following his emergence last season.

But regardless of the current makeup, coach DeMeco Ryans' goal is to add depth at every position. Ryans and the Texans could continue adding to the position group by using one of their eight picks to select a tight end during the 2024 NFL Draft. 

Ohio State tight end Cade Stover (TE14) works out during the 2024 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium / Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Ohio State's Cade Stover is a prospect the Texans could consider during Day 2 of the draft. Stover revealed at the NFL Combine that he had a formal meeting with the team. 

"It would mean so much to go back with C.J.," Stover said. "We were captains together two years ago. I could not tell you how much respect and how close I really was with that guy, just for his pure knack for wanting to win and my pure knack for wanting to win. I would love nothing more than to reunite with him."

The possibility of playing for the Texans excites Stover, given that the selection would allow him to reunite with his former Ohio State teammate, C.J. Stroud. 

It is also an idea Stroud's mother, Kimberly Stroud, agreed with on social media.

Yes 🙌🏼 great player, great family! https://t.co/TKRej3BWGL

— Kim Stroud (@KimStroud510) February 29, 2024

Stover and Stroud led the Buckeyes to an 11-2 record during the 2022 college season. While playing alongside Stroud, Stover exploded onto the scene, recording a then-career-best 406 yards on 36 catches and five touchdowns.

In the season played before Stroud took the helm as Ohio State's starting quarterback, Stover had recorded 76 yards and five catches in 2021.

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Stover played five seasons at Ohio State, establishing himself as a prominent prospect entering the draft. He made the transition to tight end after playing his freshman year at linebacker.

"I am going to do everything you want me to do, and exactly that way it should be done every single time," Stover said. "I am just scratching the surface of how good I could be."