Eli Stowers

BIRDSEED

Began his collegiate career as a QB after being the 20th-ranked player at the position in the 2021 class, committing to Texas A&M out of Denton Guyer (TX) High School ... Suffered a shoulder injury during his freshman season that sidelined him for the entirety of the campaign and led to him serving as a backup for two years ... Upon transferring to New Mexico State in 2023, spoke with the coaches about changing to TE ... When his offensive coordinator at New Mexico State, Tim Beck, took the same job at Vanderbilt, Stowers followed the staff to the Commodores, earning him first-team All-American honors in 2025

Hails from a highly athletic family background ... His father, Donald, played DB at New Mexico State before a short stint with the Denver Broncos and NFL Europe's Rhein Fire ... His mother, Tina, played collegiate volleyball at Baylor ... Sister, Kyndal, plays volleyball at Texas A&M and was named the 2025 NCAA Tournament's Most Outstanding Player

Former Eagle Jordan Matthews was his TE coach while at Vanderbilt ... Consideres Matthews a mentor of his on and off the field ... The two formed a strong bond during his time for the Commodores, the team even had a play called installed in the offense called "Philly"

Began learning football at the age of four with his father's coaching ... Won the starting varsity QB job as a sophomore before leading Denton Guyer to the 6A state championship as a junior in 2019 ... Also lettered in basketball and track (high jump, long jump and 110-meter hurdles) ... Won the 6A state championship in high jump (6'10")

Earned a master's degree in finance from Vanderbilt

COLLEGE HIGHLIGHTS

Played collegiately at Texas A&M (2021-22), New Mexico State (2023) and Vanderbilt (2024-25), appearing in 45 contests (14 starts) ... Began his collegiate career as a QB before transitioning to TE while at New Mexico State due to injury ... At tight end, totaled 146 receptions for 1,773 yards (12.0 avg.) and 11 TDs

Named the 2025 John Mackey Award winner (nation's best tight end) and the first in Commodores history after posting 62 receptions for 769 yards (12.4 avg.) and 4 TDs across 12 contests (5 starts) as a graduate ... Also awarded the 2025 William V. Campbell Trophy and collected Associated Press first-team All-America accolades

Led the Commodores with 49 receptions for 638 yards (13.0 avg.) and 5 TDs in 2024, registering the second-most receiving yards and receiving TDs by a Vanderbilt tight end since 1996, trailing only Jared Pinkney in 2018 ... Also garnered AP All-SEC second team honors