Why is Cade Stover called 'Farmer Gronk'? Texans TE's nickname explored

To choose Ohio State tight end Cade Stover 123rd overall in the fourth round of the draft, the Houston Texans surrendered their 127th overall pick and a fifth-round pick from 2025 to the Philadelphia Eagles.

Cade Stover, sometimes known as "Farmer Gronk," began his career as a linebacker before switching to tight end in the 2020 campaign.

Subsequently, the tight end quietly rose to prominence in college football as one of the team's most vibrant players, regularly showcasing his capacity to make difficult catches and outrun opponents while carrying the ball.

Before he became a superstar tight end in college, Cade Stover grew up on a farm in Mansfield, Ohio.

Many compared his skill with that of the renowned Rob Gronkowski, the legendary tight end known as "Gronk." That explains in a nutshell why Stover goes by the moniker "Farmer Gronk.”

Stover's nickname stems from both his farm boy upbringing and physical resemblance to the former NFL tight end.

Rob Gronkowski, a former tight end for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and New England Patriot, is one of the players Stover looked to emulate while growing up. George Kittle of the San Francisco 49ers is another player at the position he claims he looks up to now.

When asked about the nickname, Stover responded that he liked it, but that he felt it was a bit of a reach to compare him with Gronkowski.

According to WSYX, Stover remarked:

"I've got a ways to go before I get to Gronk, but yeah, it's a good name.”

---

Cade Stover's college football statistics

Cade Stover is a dynamic tight end with linebacker and defensive end experience as well.

Stover impressed in the 2023 season with Ohio State. He demonstrated himself as a potent blocking presence and had zero drops.

He recorded 41 catches for 576 yards and five touchdowns and also finished as a finalist for the John Mackey award, which is given to the nation's best tight end.

The tight end also caught 36 passes for 406 yards and five touchdowns in 2022 while playing with C.J. Stroud.

Now, Stover will be reunited with Stroud, his teammate from Ohio State who the Houston Texans selected with the second overall choice in last year's draft.

Stover, who stands six-foot-four and weighs 247 pounds, ran the 40-yard sprint in 4.65 seconds at the combine earlier this year. He also recorded a broad jump of nine feet nine inches and a vertical leap of three and a half inches.