Ohio State '24 OH LB (FR) - Garrett Stover

#Stuff on in-state priority Garrett Stover following his latest Buckeyes visit.https://t.co/iRV2KpIE0i

— Jeremy Birmingham (@Birm) September 4, 2022

 

Buckeye offer says #OhioState "is such a special place" after attending OSU - Notre Dame game. VIP https://t.co/P4sEDwUEN6

— Bill Kurelic (@Bill_Kurelic) September 7, 2022

 

Pick Is In: Predicting four-star in-state linebacker to choose Ohio Statehttps://t.co/rClSyG5bXN

— Lettermen Row (@LettermenRow) September 9, 2022

 

The Hurry-Up: Four-star 2024 safety Garrett Stover said playing any position on OSU's defense would "be a blast" and Saturday was the “best game" he had ever experienced at OSU. https://t.co/PAp3fvRtFb

— Eleven Warriors (@11W) September 9, 2022

Four-star 2024 Ohio safety Garrett Stover has had an interesting start to his junior season thus far.

While Stover has been instrumental in helping lead Big Walnut to a 3-0 start, the 6-foot-2, 195-pound prospect dislocated his shoulder and had a slight tear in his labrum in Week 2, but popped his shoulder back in and continued to play. He started for Big Walnut in Week 3 against Beechcroft, but the pain was eventually too much, and he had to recuse himself from the game.

Opting to rest his shoulder, Stover will miss Big Walnut’s matchup against undefeated Delaware Hayes on Friday, but it shouldn’t be a long-term issue and said he expects to be back next week.

“It’s frustrating but I’m getting a lot better, just trying to strengthen it up,” Stover told Eleven Warriors.

While the shoulder injury was the source of some frustration last week, Stover’s trip down Ohio’s I-71 with his family for Ohio State’s season opener against Notre Dame last weekend was anything but.

“Overall it was frickin’ awesome,” Stover said of his experience. “Probably the best game I’ve ever experienced at the Shoe. It was really good and was good to see the new defense and everything. It was exciting to watch them play, I think they flew around and played hard and were physical. I think the whole team has so much energy and that’s what I really like. Just from watching it, the whole atmosphere was amazing and the fanbase was incredible.”

On his visit, Stover talked with Ryan Day both before and after Ohio State’s 21-10 win over Notre Dame.

“Before the game, the biggest thing that impressed me was you just don’t see too many head coaches want to talk to you 15 minutes before the game. I just think that says a lot about the person that Day is and you want that as a coach. He just told me to imagine myself playing there and running out of this tunnel one day.

“Afterward, he was excited about the win and thanked us for coming. He said whenever I want to be a Buckeye, to let him know and everything. He also asked us about how the visit went, it was really good to talk to him.”

Stover also spoke with defensive coordinator Jim Knowles while on his visit.

“I talked to him after the game in the locker room,” he said. “He just said it was great seeing me there and everything. Myself and two other linebackers were standing right there and he was telling us this could be a good trio in action and I thought that was really cool. I was texting with him (Thursday) and he said good luck at my game and told me a big reason why they want me is not only how I can play, but my character and how I handle myself.”

Stover, who has played both linebacker and safety at the high school level, watched both positions in Ohio State’s offense Saturday night and was impressed with what he saw.

“I was dialed in on watching the defense,” Stover said. “Coach Knowles has talked to me about playing linebacker or safety if I ended up choosing Ohio State. I looked at guys like Ronnie Hickman, he’s like a hybrid between safety and linebacker and was doing a lot of different things. He was playing deep, rushing off the edge and playing in the box. A position like that would really fit me as I continue to grow and develop more and get better as a player. Obviously, I really liked watching those linebackers, Tommy Eichenberg really stood out with all the things he does too. It would be a blast to play anywhere on that defense.”

Stover, the cousin of Ohio State tight end Cade Stover, said he was excited to watch Cade start at tight end for the Buckeyes in person.

“I was just really happy to see him out there and finally found a role where he can do a lot of good things for the team,” Stover said. “I think he has a really bright future there at tight end. I thought he played well blocking and he had a couple of catches. I was really happy for him.”

Stover said the only locked-in visit he has for the remainder of his fall is to South Bend, Indiana, for Notre Dame’s contest against Clemson on Nov. 5. But he’d also like to take visits to Cincinnati, Michigan State, Tennessee, Northwestern, Auburn and perhaps a few others if his schedule allows.

He’s also likely to return to Ohio State for more Buckeye games this fall too.

“Definitely,” Stover said. “Just having Ohio State in your backyard, whatever chance you have to go to a game, I’ll definitely take it. There’s a lot of home games left and we’ll definitely get up to one, so we’ll see.”

 

Ohio State trending for Ohio 2024 four-star athlete
The Buckeyes are hard at work finishing up their 2023 recruiting class. The group currently sits at No. 6 overall with 20 verbal commitments. The Buckeyes will continue to try to add to this class, but the coaching staff is also moving a lot of its attention to next year’s cycle — one that is already off to a bang.

Ohio State has just one commitment in 2024 thus far, but five-star quarterback Dylan Raiola is a huge get for the Buckeyes, and is already doing his part to recruit his peers to join him in Columbus. Raiola may not be the sole Ohio State commitment for long though, as the Buckeyes appear to be trending for one of Ohio’s best recruits in next year’s class.

2024 four-star athlete Garrett Stover (Sunbury, OH / Big Walnut) is certain to be very familiar with Ohio State as his cousin, Cade Stover, currently plays tight end for the team. He received his official scholarship offer from the Buckeyes on June 1 after impressing at one of Ohio State’s June recruiting camps. The offer seemed jump-start his recruitment, as he received offers from Cincinnati, Notre Dame and Northwestern to go along with his other offers from schools like Michigan State, Kentucky, Iowa State, Minnesota and Duke.

Stover was able to return to Ohio State’s campus for its home-opener versus Notre Dame, and told Stephen Means of Cleveland.com that Ohio State was his “dream school” following the visit, saying the following:

“Ohio State’s just been my dream,” Stover said. “That place is filled with great people and that’s the one thing that really separates them from a lot of schools.”

“They really flew around and made a crap ton of plays,” Stover said. “It was really exciting to see them get after it. The whole defense has a super high motor that just never stops. The energy’s amazing. Seeing how they reacted to everything, it was just so fast and that’s what really impressed me. It’s hard to look at that and not want to be a part of it, because I was really impressed.”

Fast-forward to Monday, and there have now been two 247Sports Crystal Ball Predictions for Stover to commit to Ohio State. These predictions are far from guarantees, but when Steve Wiltfong and Dave Kurelic agree, the smoke usually means fire.

Stover has not yet mentioned he is ready to commit, but the Buckeyes have to like where they sit in his recruitment. Ryan Day has made it known he wants to prioritize winning in-state recruitments, and this trend appears to be the same for 2024.

Stover is the No. 39 ATH in the 247Sports Composite Rankings, and is the No. 244 overall prospect. He is also the No. 9 recruit from Ohio.

 

A 4-star target of the #Buckeyes found many things to be impressed with as #OhioState rolled over Wisconsin 52-21 on Saturday night. VIP https://t.co/t1RhdOth7W

— Bill Kurelic (@Bill_Kurelic) September 25, 2022

 

Garrett Stover blows up would be blocker. pic.twitter.com/5amQZR8dbT

— Bill Kurelic (@Bill_Kurelic) October 1, 2022

 

Ohio State target Garrett Stover pressures passer on blitz. pic.twitter.com/RuPnbDB9Jb

— Bill Kurelic (@Bill_Kurelic) October 1, 2022

 

LB Garrett Stover fills the whole and makes the tackle. pic.twitter.com/6QGPIs2iOd

— Bill Kurelic (@Bill_Kurelic) October 1, 2022

 

No. 10 Garrett Stover runs for a first down. pic.twitter.com/8t7Ug4h0U0

— Bill Kurelic (@Bill_Kurelic) September 30, 2022

 

Garrett Stover with pass reception. pic.twitter.com/f3vLZaiImS

— Bill Kurelic (@Bill_Kurelic) September 30, 2022

 

Ohio State target No. 10 Garrett Stover with big hit at sideline pic.twitter.com/eTYaqPJLnh

— Bill Kurelic (@Bill_Kurelic) September 30, 2022

 

It’s going to be pretty hard to top last weekend’s Ohio State visit for four-star 2024 safety Garrett Stover.

Not only did the Ohio product fully take in the atmosphere of the blackout in OSU’s 52-21 win over Wisconsin, but he watched his cousin, Ohio State tight end Cade Stover, have a career night. In the win, Stover caught four passes for 51 yards and two touchdowns. This was on the heels of a three-catch, 81-yard performance against Toledo the week before.

“I had another amazing visit to Ohio State and I know it’s the place to be,” the younger Stover told Eleven Warriors. “I was so happy for Cade and the way he performed. I’m glad he’s getting some action and making an impact, I can’t wait to watch him make more plays.”

Of course, the coveted defensive prospect was also there to gain additional info that might help him make an informed decision about his recruitment. It was Stover’s third visit of the fall to Ohio State, as he also attended the Notre Dame and Toledo games. He said he was impressed how the Buckeyes kept Wisconsin in check for the majority of the evening.

“The defense played great and I love how they fly around with energy and are excited for each other if someone makes a big play,” Stover said. “Coach Knowles definitely has something great going on there and when watching the game, it’s really hard not to wanna be a part of.”

The only visit to another school Stover has planned this fall is to Notre Dame for the Fighting Irish’s contest against Clemson on Nov. 5. But the Buckeyes are likely going to see a lot more of Stover this season.

“I’m gonna try to be at every home game, so I’m excited to watch them again,” Stover said.

Stover won’t be in attendance this weekend because of Big Walnut’s homecoming, but plans to be in attendance at Ohio State on Oct. 22 for the Iowa game and subsequent contents against Indiana and Michigan.

 

Ohio State 2024 target Garrett Stover 'just wants to play' through high-level recruitment https://t.co/w9we0GJXwm

— BuckeyeXtra.com (@BuckeyeXtra) October 12, 2022

 

Garrett Stover said his bond with Jim Knowles is “one of those things where you’d think he's been coaching me for five years already.” https://t.co/VQHim8rYTU

— Eleven Warriors (@11W) October 15, 2022