Cade Stover Planning A Return To Notre Dame

2019 Lexington (Ohio) linebacker Cade Stover‍ is known for his football talents, but he’s also not too shabby on the hardwood.

“We’re starting the State Tournament,” Stover told Irish Sports Daily. “We lost four games this year, so it’s been a great season. 

“It’s been a very good season for me. I’m averaging 19.5 points and 14 rebounds per game.” 

The 6-foot-5, 225-pounder has also made time for recruiting as he is one of the most coveted prospects in the country. The four-star prospect could be in South Bend next weekend for an unofficial visit, but if it’s up to Stover, he would prefer to wait a few more weeks to get back to Notre Dame. 

“Hopefully, I won’t be coming up,” laughed Stover. “If we keep winning basketball, then we play again next weekend.”

It’s not a secret Urban Meyer, and the Buckeyes want to keep the Ohio native at home, but several schools are coming aggressively after Stover.

“Ohio State is coming hard,” stated Stover. “There are a bunch of new schools coming in from the South. Notre Dame is recruiting me hard along with Oklahoma.” 

The Buckeyes and Irish are preaching fit, and Stover knows he could find a role in both programs.  

“Ohio State is telling me about how I fit in,” explained Stover. “I could be a great fit there, but I could be a great fit at another school too. I’m keeping my options open to find the best fit for me.” 

“Notre Dame has a similar message. They are telling me about the fit. Notre Dame is different than every other program in the country.

“It’s a very small school compared to how big the football program is, but also how much the program will love you back if you put all your effort into it.” 

Stover comes from a part of Ohio where there is plenty of open space and the environment around Notre Dame is something attractive to him. 

“I live on a farm,” said Stover. “I like the country feel, and the small school feel at Notre Dame.” 

Notre Dame is recruiting Stover to play the Drop or a linebacker role similar to other schools, but a few schools see him on either side of the football. 

“Georgia, Texas and even Michigan are looking at me to play tight end and outside linebacker,” Stover said. “It interests me to be on both sides of the ball. If I have to pick somewhere to play, I want to play at an outside linebacker or a defensive end spot.” 

The Georgia and Texas relationships are new, but Stover has open ears and taking in what each program has to say. 

“It’s a very new relationship,” Stover said of his communication with Texas. “They reached out to me a few weeks ago trying to build relationships. Georgia is the same way. They are studying my film and getting to know me more.” 

As far as where he will use his official visits, Stover hasn’t locked down dates, and he hasn’t decided if the closer schools will just get unofficials, but he does know Notre Dame will be one of them.

“I’ve always wanted to take my five official visits. If I go somewhere early and I feel like it’s the right fit, then I might not take the rest of them. “Notre Dame will definitely be an official. That’s 100 percent.” 

“I’m looking to commit at the end of the summer before football season starts,” stated Stover. “I want to have my senior season care-free and not worry about anything.”