Big Walnut's Garrett Stover Joins Buckeyes Roster for 2024

Garrett Stover (twitter) of Big Walnut, Ohio made a huge announcement he's been dreaming of! He has officially committed to join the Ohio State Buckeyes roster next year. Rated the 37th best athlete in the country and the 9th best overall recruit in Ohio for 2024, Stover joins a developing Ohio State 2024 class.

Big Walnut, Ohio native Garrett Stover has officially committed to join the Ohio State Buckeyes roster. The 6'2" 195 lbs. athlete was recruited by defensive coordinator Jim Knowles and Corner backs coach Perry Eliano for Ohio State. He received over 15 scholarship offers from schools such as Notre Dame, Michigan State, Minnesota, and Northwestern.

Here's a look at his journey so far and what to expect in the future.

Garrett Stover has been making huge strides in the football world since he first entered high school, leading to him receiving an offer from The Ohio State University and deciding to join the team for 2024. His drive and love of the game has made waves across Big Walnut and beyond as fans celebrate his big announcement. So what can we expect from Garrett for next season? With lots of hard work, strategy, and skill, Big Walnut fans will surely be looking out for all of Garrett's achievements over the upcoming months. The In-state athlete is the cousin of current Buckeye tight-end Cade Stover, and thus the strong connection to the program.

Garrett Stover’s Career so Far.

Garrett Stover a junior at Big Walnut High School, has a remarkable athletic career. Stover's athleticism and defensive back skills drew the attention of Ohio State's coaching staff. A 4.45-second 40-yard dash is an impressive time for a football player, and a broad jump of 10 feet, 1 inch indicates good explosiveness and power. Agility is also a crucial skill for a defensive back, so if Stover showcased those abilities in drills, it's no surprise that Ohio State was interested in recruiting him. With all that said, it was no surprise when decision day came and Garrett finally announced he would be joining his beloved Buckeyes for 2024!

Jim Knowles has told Garrett Stover that he could play at either safety or linebacker, suggesting that the coaching staff sees him as a versatile player with the potential to excel at multiple positions on the defensive side of the ball. This is not uncommon in college football, as coaches often recruit players who have the athleticism and skillset to play multiple positions. Being able to play at either safety or linebacker would give Stover more options for getting on the field and contributing to the team, which could increase his chances of seeing playing time early in his college career.

Ultimately, it will be up to the Ohio State coaching staff to determine where Stover fits best and how to best utilize his talents. But having the ability to play at multiple positions is a valuable asset for any player, and it speaks to Stover's potential as a football player.

How the Recruiting Journey Began.

Garrett's journey to becoming a Buckeye began with a lot of hard work and dedication. From the moment he started playing football in 7th grade, he knew his goal was to play at Ohio State. As he continued to develop as an athlete, college recruiters began recognizing how talented he was on the field. This led to numerous offers from other schools, but ultimately his heart remained true to the Scarlet and Gray. After months of deliberation, Garrett decided that Ohio State was where his future belonged and announced amidst great joy that he was officially a Buckeye! Stover visited the campus in Columbus over the summer of 2022 prior to making his final decision.