Fast rising 2025 NFL Draft prospect bypasses the NFL to continue dominating SEC opponents
Over the next couple of weeks, we will begin to have a deeper understanding of what the 2025 NFL Draft class will look like in the end. Some dynamite prospects will be announcing their intentions soon here, while others will decide to head back to school. That includes Vanderbilt breakout star tight end Eli Stowers, […]
Over the next couple of weeks, we will begin to have a deeper understanding of what the 2025 NFL Draft class will look like in the end. Some dynamite prospects will be announcing their intentions soon here, while others will decide to head back to school. That includes Vanderbilt breakout star tight end Eli Stowers, who is heading back to school next season.
It has been a fascinating journey for Stowers, who began his career as a quarterback for the Texas A&M Aggies. The Denton (Texas) Guyer product was rated as the No. 106 overall player and No. 12 quarterback in the 2021 recruiting class according to 247Sports. Stowers opted for the Aggies over offers from Georgia, Oregon, LSU, Florida State, Tennessee, Clemson, and Auburn among many others.
After two years in College Station and not a single passing attempt, Stowers decided to enter the transfer portal to find other opportunities. He eventually ended up with New Mexico State, where he was a part of a quarterback battle. Stowers would lose that battle to Vanderbilt starter quarterback Diego Pavia, and eventually decided to move to tight end.
We saw Stowers show a lot of promise in that one year with New Mexico State, hauling in 35 receptions for 366 yards and two touchdowns. After Pavia decided to transfer, Stowers decided to go with him. They both ended up with Vanderbilt, and the rest is history.
Stowers took a massive step forward in 2024, becoming one of the best tight ends in all of college football. In 13 games, he hauled in 49 receptions for 638 yards and five touchdowns. The 6-4, 235-pound pass catcher seemingly made huge plays during the biggest moments all season.
Most thought Stowers would enter the 2025 NFL Draft class, where he was projected as a mid round selection potentially. His return to Vanderbilt is a massive one for the Commodores with Pavia also returning with an extra year given. Vanderbilt is not a historically good football program, but they are certainly trending in a much better direction.
2025 NFL Draft: Tyler Warren, DJ Giddens, and other “my guys” in an extremely thin offensive class
My guys in the 2025 NFL Draft class.
