10 in 10: 2026 NFL Draft Scouting
Vanderbilt were revitalised in 2024, finishing a run of 10 consecutive losing seasons at 7-6. Eli Stowers was a big part of that resurgence and will be needed to produce again, if the Commodores are to repeat the feat. Check back tomorrow and every day between now and kickoff in Week 0 on the 23rd of August for more prospect breakdowns.
No. 7- Eli Stowers, TE, Vanderbilt
Prospect Details
Name: Eli Stowers
College: Vanderbilt
Year: Graduate Senior
Measurables: 6’4, 235 pounds
Scheme Fit: Receiving TE in a pistol-based, read-option scheme
Background
Once a four-star quarterback recruit in 2021 out of Denton, Texas. He committed to Texas A&M originally ahead of Auburn and Clemson. Was a two-sport athlete in football and track and field (high jump, long jump, relays). His Dad was a DB at New Mexico State in the 90's. Played in five games over two seasons at Texas A&M as a reserve quarterback, however he suffered a torn labrum in his throwing arm. Transferred to New Mexico State where he resurrected his college football career. He spent the 2023 offseason battling for the starting quarterback job but ultimately lost it to a name that’s since become a household name: Diego Pavia.
Stowers has made the transition to tight end look seamless. He grabbed 35 receptions for 366 yards and two touchdowns in 2023, while adding 29 rushes for 113 yards and two scores on the ground. Was honorable mention All-Conference USA in 2023. Following his lone season there, Stowers was back in the portal and made his way back to the SEC to play for the Commodores.
Stowers ranked third among Power Four tight ends with 13 forced missed tackles and fourth in yards after the catch (373) this past year. He was All-SEC first team in 2024 and a Mackey Award semifinalist. This was due to him grabbing 49 receptions for 638 yards and five touchdowns. Was named to the Associated Press All-SEC second team along with the Phil Steele All-SEC first team for his efforts.
Detailed Scouting Report
Strengths
1. Versatile player who shows his QB background. He has thrown TDs out of Wildcat, has run the ball on designed QB draws and was one of the most productive receiving TEs in all of college football last year
2. Good body control in the redzone. Gets his feet in effectively and can box out defenders to pull the catch in. Should be a better catch in traffic player than his numbers indicate
3. Gets open consistently with a big catch radius. Credited with only 1 drop in 2024 and had a reception percentage of almost 75%. Speed and initial quickness are obvious and he is a matchup nightmare for DCs to game plan against.
4. Is a threat in the open field. YAC/Reception was among the best in the nation in 2024, and he uses that open field ability when he is taking shovel passes like vs Alabama
Development Points
1. Offers very little as a blocker. Had 1 run blocking snap all of 2023 and was not a strength in 2024. Given his background at QB, it is a big learning curve for him to ever grow into a strong blocker
2. Only 1 year of actual meaningful production at the TE position. 2023 was his first time playing the position, and still did quite a bit of wildcard QB work. Teams will need to see multiple years of dedicated work at TE to use a premium pick on him
3. Room to improve on the precision and timing of his routes. Few examples of his routes not having the right depth to the QB's footwork, and one drop vs Virginia Tech, which was tied to him getting his head turned around too late
4. Strange anomaly that his contested catch % is so poor. Brought in only 33% of his contested targets, which was among the 20 worst TEs in the FBS in 2024. An area for improvement as he enters the 2025 season
Summary
Stowers has had an interesting journey to get to Vanderbilt and was a Mackey Award Semifinalist in 2024 as one of the best TEs in college football. Starting out as a HS QB recruit to Texas A&M, he made his way to the Commodores via New Mexico State, converting to TE following a shoulder injury. He has made the position his own, creating excellent separation on his routes and being a safety blanket for Diego Pavia, his QB at 2 of his 3 spots in college football. While he has some deficiencies in his game around route running and blocking, there is no denying Stowers has only scratched the surface of what he could be at the next level. A big 2025 will leave teams lining up to bet on that potential, even as an older prospect.
Player Comp: Oronde Gadsden II
Team Fits: Ravens, Panthers, 49ers, Falcons, Dolphins
Grade: 6.3/9.0 (Top 100 Grade)