Garrett Stover ‘ready to go to war’ with Ohio State football
SUNBURY, Ohio (BVM) – Every so often, a special player comes around that means everything to their team. At Big Walnut High School, that guy is Garrett Stover.
For most of his football career, he, like many young players in Ohio, dreamed of someday suiting up for the Ohio State Buckeyes. As he continued to develop into his high school years, that dream became more and more of a possibility, and eventually, he earned the official offer he had always coveted from the Buckeyes.
“It’s something I’ve always dreamed about,” Stover said. “Growing up in Ohio, having the best team in the nation right in your backyard, it’s every kid’s dream in Ohio that plays football to play for Ohio State. I got that opportunity and I worked for it my whole life.
“I couldn’t explain to you the feeling I had that day when I went into Coach Day’s office after that camp and he offered me. It was just a surreal moment.”
Achieving his dream to go to Ohio State was the culmination of a lot of hard work, and part of another chapter of what has been an incredible journey on the gridiron so far.
At just 6 years old, Stover was already flying around the field during flag football, at times playing almost too aggressively. However, his immediate passion and love for the sport was evident.
It’s no surprise given Stover’s background in the sport, which includes growing a love for the game thanks to his family, and in particular his dad, who has been one of his biggest role models throughout his life.
“My family has always been a huge football family,” Stover said.
As he began playing tackle football, Stover would not lose a game throughout the entirety of his youth career, with the only blemish coming in a game his team tied in seventh grade.
“It’s pretty crazy,” Stover said. “We had a good youth league, and I think the best memories were just coming up with the guys I’m getting ready to leave with.”
Big Walnut’s senior class has had a lasting impact on the program, but perhaps no individual player has had a presence quite like Stover. A quick and physical player who has a strong mindset and is an elite competitor, the senior has played all over the field for the Golden Eagles on both sides of the ball, including at cornerback, safety, outside linebacker, inside linebacker, running back and wide receiver.
“My whole mindset is I’m gonna be everywhere,” Stover said. “It’s kind of how I’ve always been developed and the athlete I am. I like being that guy who can play multiple positions … Wherever you need me, wherever I best can help the team and contribute, I’ll play wherever.”
Ohio State LB commit Garrett Stover (in red), showing off his quickness. pic.twitter.com/zxVEi5XFyG
— Tony Gerdeman (@TonyGerdeman) June 14, 2023
As a freshman, Stover achieved one of his main goals right away, playing varsity football at Big Walnut from day one. He began playing corner, safety and running back, and as he adjusted to the speed of the game while also getting bigger and stronger, Stover realized just how bright his football future may be.
“That was a big turning point for me that I realized I could do something with this,” Stover said.
Coming off a sophomore season in which Stover helped the Golden Eagles to an impressive 12-1 record, expectations were high going into 2022 for the team, and for Stover himself as he began getting heavily recruited.
“Going into junior season, our expectation and the standard was really high,” Stover said. “It kind of had its ups and downs. Going in, I felt a lot of pressure on myself. Big-time recruit, I’ve got to perform and play well.”
Sound 🆙 for this hit by LB Garrett Stover (@GarrettStover2) 💥
He’ll be coming to Under Armour Next Camp Sunday and is committed to play at Ohio State 🅾️
He’s tough #UANext @CraigHaubert @TomLuginbill @DemetricDWarren
(🎥: @Dan_Hope) pic.twitter.com/JJ7DXcDIeU
— Billy Tucker (@TheUCReport) May 4, 2023
Big Walnut would have another strong season at 10-2, but for Stover, it was one that led to some frustration. That was in large part due to a torn labrum he suffered early on, leading him to miss a couple of games, and to never feel quite right on the field when he returned.
Between being fully healthy, and a new coaching staff at Big Walnut that has injected further life into the program, Stover is eager to get back on the field on Friday nights this fall, and has been preparing all summer for his final high school season.
“My mindset is just like, you gotta work harder than you did last summer, you gotta work harder than you did last offseason,” Stover explained. “That’s what I’ve been doing. I’ve just been putting my head down and grinding, and just really making sure that I have the best senior season.”
If the 6-foot-2, 195-pound defensive standout has the senior season he’s hoping for, that will include a Mr. Football award, and a state championship.
“My goal is to win Mr. Football this year,” Stover said. “With me playing both ways this year, I think I’ll be in for a lot of opportunities to make plays.
“As a team, I want to lead these guys. I want to just really take them under my wing and lead them in the right direction … I want to win a state championship. If there’s any team to do it in Big Walnut history, it’s this year. If your goals don’t scare you a little bit, you don’t have big enough goals.”
Big dreams and lofty goals are nothing new to Stover, and playing college football at one of the country’s elite programs was certainly one of those for the Big Walnut senior.
Even after the Ohio State offer, the four-star recruit who is ranked No. 130 in the Class of 2024 wisely took some time to still explore a few other schools like Notre Dame, Penn State and Florida, among others. However, there still wasn’t anywhere that quite compared to Columbus.
After a lot of thought I’ve decided to commit to The Ohio State University! I’d like to thank everyone that has supported me throughout this process and all of the programs that recruited me! #gobucks #BOOM pic.twitter.com/BRBwXn7ODF
— Garrett Stover (@GarrettStover2) November 22, 2022
“Just everything about Ohio State, it felt like home,” Stover said. “The most important thing about a football team and a program like Ohio State is the people … How you’re treated there and how they go about themselves, and how they sell themselves to recruits is unbelievable. There’s nothing else you would want in the coaching staff, the players and the whole program. That place is filled with unbelievable people, it’s a whole family.
“Being at Ohio State, you’re just like, ‘I would die for these guys.’ Coach Day does an unbelievable job just really recruiting the right guys that are gonna make that place even better than it already is.”
Another big factor in the decision to go to Ohio State was staying close to home. Stover has always valued being family-oriented, and making the under-30-mile transition to Columbus will allow him to stay in touch with those who are close to him.
“I’m just thankful everyday and make sure I remember the people who got me there,” Stover said. “I have an unbelievable family who supports me and has put a lot of time in. I want to make them proud, my community proud, and my friends who have been cheering me on my whole life.”
One of those family members who has been a big supporter, and has served as a role model for Stover, is his cousin, Cade Stover, who is entering his senior year as a tight end at Ohio State.
Cade Stover entered the night with 0 career TDs.
He has ✌️ tonight, and the first quarter isn't even over.@cstov8 x @OhioStateFB pic.twitter.com/U2HGY6w6yl
— Big Ten Network (@BigTenNetwork) September 25, 2022
Even though they won’t get to play together in Columbus, being able to follow in his cousin’s footsteps means a lot to the Big Walnut senior.
“It’s been good to have him in my life,” Garrett said. “Just someone to talk to and ask questions … He was super, super excited when I told him I was gonna come in. I think of him like a brother. He’s really been there for me a lot throughout this whole thing.”
It’s possible that after his final season with the Buckeyes this fall, Cade’s career could lead him to the NFL. Ultimately, Garrett’s goal is to have two Stovers in the pros at some point down the road.
“It’s always been a dream of mine,” Garrett said. “I just gotta attack everything, every workout, be the best that I can be, and better myself so I’m ready for anything that comes my way. The NFL is a big dream of mine and a goal I’d like to accomplish. Being at Ohio State, they’re gonna develop you into that caliber of a player. I’m just gonna keep working and see where this goes.”
Of course, his NFL dream cannot happen without first succeeding at Ohio State. From day one, Garrett is hoping to see the field and contribute in any way possible. From there, he hopes that leads to some impressive milestones for what’s a tremendous incoming 2024 class in Columbus.
“Coming in, I think every freshman’s goal is to play right away,” Garrett said. “My goals going in are to have the mindset that I need to work as hard as I possibly can, and show up everyday, on time, do all the little things right, and it will all pay off in the end.
“I wanna contribute any way I can, get on the field, help the team win, beat the team up north, and win a national championship. This class is very special … I’m ready to go to war with them.”
While an extremely bright future awaits Garrett, he is quick to point out that he is also someone who focuses on the here and now. Currently, that means leaving as great of an impact as he can at Big Walnut before soon hearing his name called on Saturdays, and just maybe Sundays.
“High school football goes in the blink of an eye, it flies by so fast,” Garrett said. “When you actually know this is your last season to play with the guys you’ve been growing up with your whole life, it really hits you.
“When I was a freshman and sophomore, the senior class really took me under their wing and made sure that I was included in everything. That’s all I want for the team this year. I really want to include everybody. I want to leave the legacy that I was one of the best leaders, and just an all-around good guy, good football player.”
