Eli Stowers came into the 2025 season as one of the most touted tight ends in the country, and he’s kept up his national reputation as he nears the end of his final collegiate season. Stowers and the Commodores have impressed through 10 weeks; Vanderbilt boasts an 8-2 record, and its star tight end leads the team with 669 receiving yards and 4 touchdowns.
Stowers’ stellar play has given way to frequent discussion about his stock for the 2026 NFL Draft. While still five months away, Stowers is frequently brought up as one of the top tight end prospects and looks to be selected within the first few rounds.
Many general managers, coaches and scouts will watch film on Vanderbilt’s star tight end as the football world inches closer to that fateful night in April. His stats and highlight plays certainly jump off the charts, but further analysis reveals why Stowers is so effective.
Finding open space
Stowers is smart.
Stowers sees the field like an intelligent signal caller, likely due to his days as a four-star high school quarterback. Vanderbilt quarterback and Heisman trophy contender Diego Pavia calls Stowers his “safety blanket,” namely for his innate ability to find open space. The Vanderbilt tight end excels at reading opposing defenses and seeking out soft spots where he can sneak away from a cornerback or safety.
Stowers’ 669 receiving yards place him in the top 10 in the SEC for all pass catchers, and his 13.1 yards per reception – also near the top of that list — mean his frequent route adjustments often happen downfield. In the film below, Stowers consistently adjusts his speed, body positioning or both to make himself available for Pavia to push the Commodores’ offense downfield.
Pass catching excellence
Stowers has trusty hands.
The Commodores’ tight end is 6’4 and 235 pounds, yet he can still outrun a number of college linebackers. That being said, so can a lot of other SEC players. Few, however, have the trustworthy hands that Stowers does. His lengthy catch radius routinely overwhelms defenders, frequently making an imperfect Pavia pass look like an accurate throw.
Stowers flexes his elite pass-catching ability in the tape below. His game is not just about finding open spaces but also creating them with his reliable reception range. That combination of size, speed and ball security makes Stowers the kind of tight end who can bail out an offense on third down or spark an explosive play when coverage breaks.
Blocking identity
Stowers can block, too.
Stowers made a name for himself by becoming one of the nation’s most talented receivers. But the Vanderbilt tight end took up a new identity as a blocker this season, too. Stowers grew substantially in this technical area, showing improved levels of consistency and physicality. What the Commodore tight end lacked previously in raw strength, he now makes up for with improved leverage and technique. Additionally, the emergence of fellow Vanderbilt tight end Cole Spence as a reliable pass catcher has made Tim Beck’s offensive schemes much more versatile.
The tape below showcases a few of Stowers’ most impactful blocks this season. He won’t be confused for an offensive tackle, but his recent efforts have made his blocking more than adequate. NFL scouts will be pleased with his tape as they search for a tight end who can stay on the field for all three downs.
Stowers’ combination of football IQ, pass-catching reliability and improved blocking makes him one of the most complete tight end prospects in this upcoming class. NFL teams looking for a playmaker who can contribute immediately to the passing game while holding his own as a blocker will find plenty to like in Stowers’ tape.
The Commodores, though, need him until then.
Vanderbilt finds itself in a race for the College Football Playoff and will rely heavily on one of the nation’s premier tight ends to fight for its spot.
Stowers and the Commodores will take on Kentucky at home on Saturday, Nov. 22, at 2:30 p.m. CST.
