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Guys, I caught up with one of UC's top defense targets in 2024 and one of the first calls the other night in the midnight pounce, four-star linebacker Garrett Stover, from just outside of Columbus. He's up to 18 offers now with some big ones involved, including Ohio State, Notre Dame, Michigan State and Penn State.
Stover told me he's been in steady contact with UC, especially since this spring when he got a lot of in-person visits from different coaches. He told me, "I really think that’s a place I can see myself playing." And he said he's really gotten a lot of conversations in with defensive coordinator Mike Tressel, his primary recruiter and assistant coach Kerry Coombs. Stover didn't share a lot of specifics, but said he loves how he'd fit in on the Bearcats' defense and how the coaches told him he could have a hybrid role. I'm guessing he's talking about the 'dollar' position the staff has, which is in between linebacker and safety, who can blitz, be in the middle of the field or drop back a bit in coverage as the personnel dictates. Stover told me he feels like he's known Tressel for "nine years," which was an interesting comment, just that he feels so comfortable around him. And with Coombs, their relationship goes back to when Coombs was on staff with the Buckeyes, so they've talked a lot.
So, you guessed it, I do think Ohio State is the slight favorite here, but not sure where Stover is on the Buckeyes' board. If they make a serious run at him, he's definitely a big lean. Stover mentioned a lot of coaches there, including Ryan Day, who he's comfortable with. The other one to really watch is Notre Dame. Those two are the only ones he has definite plans to visit. He'll be at Ohio State this weekend for the game Saturday night and at Notre Dame in November for its game against Clemson.
Cincinnati was the first school he mentioned wanting to visit that he doesn't have a set date for. He said he also wants to get to games at Michigan State, Northwestern and Penn State. So there's some time still, here. Even if other offers come in, it's hard to see that top group of Ohio State, Notre Dame and UC changing. No timetable on a decision and doesn't seem to be in a rush right now. But I'd imagine some type of top list or cutdown this fall.
Full story coming.
Guys, I caught up with one of UC's top defense targets in 2024 and one of the first calls the other night in the midnight pounce, four-star linebacker Garrett Stover, from just outside of Columbus. He's up to 18 offers now with some big ones involved, including Ohio State, Notre Dame, Michigan State and Penn State.
Stover told me he's been in steady contact with UC, especially since this spring when he got a lot of in-person visits from different coaches. He told me, "I really think that’s a place I can see myself playing." And he said he's really gotten a lot of conversations in with defensive coordinator Mike Tressel, his primary recruiter and assistant coach Kerry Coombs. Stover didn't share a lot of specifics, but said he loves how he'd fit in on the Bearcats' defense and how the coaches told him he could have a hybrid role. I'm guessing he's talking about the 'dollar' position the staff has, which is in between linebacker and safety, who can blitz, be in the middle of the field or drop back a bit in coverage as the personnel dictates. Stover told me he feels like he's known Tressel for "nine years," which was an interesting comment, just that he feels so comfortable around him. And with Coombs, their relationship goes back to when Coombs was on staff with the Buckeyes, so they've talked a lot.
So, you guessed it, I do think Ohio State is the slight favorite here, but not sure where Stover is on the Buckeyes' board. If they make a serious run at him, he's definitely a big lean. Stover mentioned a lot of coaches there, including Ryan Day, who he's comfortable with. The other one to really watch is Notre Dame. Those two are the only ones he has definite plans to visit. He'll be at Ohio State this weekend for the game Saturday night and at Notre Dame in November for its game against Clemson.
Cincinnati was the first school he mentioned wanting to visit that he doesn't have a set date for. He said he also wants to get to games at Michigan State, Northwestern and Penn State. So there's some time still, here. Even if other offers come in, it's hard to see that top group of Ohio State, Notre Dame and UC changing. No timetable on a decision and doesn't seem to be in a rush right now. But I'd imagine some type of top list or cutdown this fall.
Full story coming.
