One important game for Ohio State linebacker commits Garrett Stover, Payton Pierce
COLUMBUS — Ohio State is preparing for its own season to start as it’s going through its yearly preseason training camp.
The same goes for the Buckeyes’ commits, who were already entrenched with preseason activities before their future program started.
Lettermen Row is going to look at one important game for all 20 prospects in the 2024 class and for 2025 quarterback commit Tavien St. Clair, and 2026 wide receiver commit Chris Henry Jr.
We look at four-star Sunbury (Ohio) Big Walnut commit Garrett Stover and four-star Lucas (Texas) Lovejoy commit Payton Pierce.
Garrett Stover
Garrett Stover has enjoyed an impressive high school career. He and Big Walnut have been to the playoffs for two consecutive seasons. The first playoff season was an undefeated regular season with a conference title.
So in 2022 when the Eagles lost two conference games, and an early one to rival Westerville South that cost them the conference crown, the impact of that has weighed on them throughout the offseason.
The 31-24 loss in mid-September proved to be the loss that had Stover’s Eagles in second place for the Ohio Capital Conference, Capital Division, standings.
There’s a chance for redemption on Sept. 15 when Westerville South heads to Big Walnut and the Ohio State linebacker commit has spoken about that game in small circles throughout the offseason.
Payton Pierce
Payton Pierce has been a do-it-all man for Lovejoy throughout his high school career. From quarterback to linebacker, the 6-foot-2, 215-pound commit just makes plays no matter where he’s at on the field.
In the regular season finale against district rival Melissa last fall, Pierce made play left after right, but the Leopards still fell short in a 36-35 loss.
The regular season once again concludes with Melissa and there’s more than enough motivation in the world for Pierce in his final go-around with Lovejoy to undo last season’s loss.
