Garrett Stover’s recruitment is coming to a close.
The four-star 2024 Ohio safety/linebacker told Eleven Warriors he is nearing a decision and will likely commit before the year is out, most likely around the beginning of December. As it stands, Stover’s recruitment has primarily turned into a two-team race.
“I’ve kind of narrowed it down,” Stover said. “Really, I’m keeping my options a little open, but it’s coming down to I really like Ohio State and I really like Notre Dame. I want to take that visit to Notre Dame, and then I’ll probably be looking at a commitment a little after that.”
The 6-foot-2, 195-pound prospect has a Notre Dame trip scheduled for the Fighting Irish’s Nov. 5 contest against Clemson, a visit he feels he needs to make before he’s ready to make a decision.
“My whole family is going and we’re really excited to see what gamedays are like in South Bend and we’re excited to see them get after Clemson,” Stover said. “I’ve been staying in contact with their coaches ever since I camped there in June. They’ve just been great and have shown me a lot of love and everything. I’m really looking forward to it.”
While Stover’s visit to South Bend in a week will be his first trip to Notre Dame this season, he’s essentially been a season ticket holder at Ohio Stadium this fall. He’s attended four OSU home games, making the short drive from Sunbury for OSU’s contests against Notre Dame, Toledo, Wisconsin and most recently, Iowa on Saturday.
“Really, you just get the same amazing feeling every time,” Stover said of his most recent visit. “They make it seem like you’ve never been there. I just feel like my Saturday is complete every time I get home from the Ohio State game and see them fly around and blow out teams like that. It’s really amazing to watch, you want to be a part of it. I want to get to as many remaining home games as I can.”
OSU has two home games remaining, Nov. 12 against Indiana and Nov. 26 against Michigan, and Stover is considering attending both of them. Against the Hawkeyes, Stover saw the OSU defense turn in arguably its best performance of the year with six turnovers and only three points allowed.
“I just think it’s what they do and obviously coach Jim Knowles from what I’ve seen is doing a good job of keeping that defense in the best position to make plays,” Stover said. “They’re fun to watch and I love their energy. I love the excitement they get when one guy makes a play and everybody is on them congratulating them. It’s just something you want to be a part of.”
Can hear this hit from Garrett Stover: pic.twitter.com/FmBfrW8CTo
— Dan Hope (@Dan_Hope) October 15, 2022
Stover, the cousin of OSU tight end Cade Stover, also appreciated watching his cousin hurdle a defender, a move that gave him flashbacks.
“He used to do it all the time in high school,” the younger Stover said. “I’d go to his games and he’d average a hurdle a game or so. I didn’t know he was going to do that against Iowa, though. I talked to him afterward and told him it seemed like you barely even broke stride (on the hurdle). The guy was flying at his legs and it worked. The Wisconsin game, he was trying to go over the top of people and he got his legs taken out so I just didn’t want that to happen again there.”
Stover has had a successful junior season for Big Walnut, and has helped lead his team to an 8-2 regular season record with a first-round Ohio high school playoff matchup against Green at 7 p.m. on Friday. In his second to last regular season game, defensive coordinator Jim Knowles stopped by Stover’s game in Sunbury to show support.
“It was awesome,” Stover said. “It was great to see him there and it’s really special for me. Out of all the recruits in the country, I was really happy I was one of those stops that he wanted to see. We talked a little after on the phone, and it was great to see him there. I’m glad he came.”
Although Stover was offered by OSU as a safety during a camp workout on June 1, it’s possible his future could be as a safety/linebacker hybrid in Knowles’ defensive scheme. The pair have grown close in the recruiting process, and should Stover choose OSU in the end, there could be no shortage of formations to best utilize Stover’s skillset.
Garrett Stover helps make a 4th-and-short run stop. pic.twitter.com/Jj6gDy2qIx
— Dan Hope (@Dan_Hope) October 15, 2022
“He’s told me that I could play both (linebacker and safety),” Stover said. “It’s really just how my body develops as the years go on. It just comes down to making sure that I’m staying flexible and loose so I have the opportunity to play both and be that dynamic player. It’s a unique thing, having an opportunity to play both and I’m excited to see where I fit.”
