Five years ago, Eli Stowers was the nation's No. 12 quarterback recruit according to 247 Sports. Today, he's the Philadelphia Eagles' second-round pick and the reigning Mackey Award winner as college football's best tight end.
The journey between those two points is one of the most fascinating stories in the 2026 NFL Draft.
The Position Change That Changed Everything
Stowers began his college career as a quarterback at Texas A&M, appearing in five games as a backup in 2021 and 2022. But persistent shoulder issues, including a torn labrum and resulting surgery, made it difficult for him to throw at the college level.
Rather than give up on football, Stowers transferred to New Mexico State where he played both quarterback and tight end. It was there that his athletic gifts began to translate to a new position. He then transferred to Vanderbilt for his final two seasons, fully committing to tight end - and the rest is history.
Dominant at Vanderbilt
In two seasons as a Commodore, Stowers earned first-team All-SEC honors twice and put up impressive numbers:
- 2024: 49 catches, 638 yards, 5 touchdowns
- 2025: 62 catches, 769 yards, 4 touchdowns
- Career at Vandy: 111 catches, 1,407 yards, 9 touchdowns
His 2025 season earned him the John Mackey Award as college football's best tight end. He also won the William V. Campbell Trophy - the "Academic Heisman" - awarded to the player who shows the most combined excellence in academics and football.
Historic NFL Combine Performance
At 6-foot-4, 239 pounds, Stowers put on a show at the NFL Combine:
- 40-yard dash: 4.51 seconds
- Vertical jump: 45.5 inches (NFL Combine record for tight ends)
- Broad jump: 11 feet, 3 inches (NFL Combine record for tight ends)
His Relative Athletic Score of 9.42 ranks him in the 99th percentile among all tight end prospects in the last 26 years in both the vertical and broad jump, and the 96th percentile in the 40-yard dash.
From an athletic standpoint, scouts have compared him to Vernon Davis, Kyle Pitts, and Noah Fant.
What He Does Well
Stowers is essentially a big slot receiver. His quarterback background shows up in how quickly he processes coverage - instincts that can't be taught.
In 2025, 30.6% of his catches went for 15+ yards, he averaged 2.43 yards per route run, and he forced nine missed tackles after the catch. He's a natural pass catcher with an outstanding catch radius and explosive run-after-catch ability.
Areas to Develop
The scouting reports are honest: Stowers' blocking isn't NFL-ready. At 239 pounds, he's light for a tight end expected to hold up in the run game. He blocked on only 35% of his snaps at Vanderbilt.
This is exactly why the Eagles' situation is perfect for him. He'll have time to develop behind Dallas Goedert, who returns for 2026 on a one-year, $7 million deal. Stowers can contribute as a receiving threat on passing downs while adding strength and learning the nuances of NFL blocking.
Why the Eagles Drafted Him
"The guy is super talented," Eagles coach Nick Sirianni said. "Athletically, he does some things that nobody else can do. Just to be able to create mismatches with him on third down and first- and second-down situations. He is a tough cover."
By selecting Stowers at No. 54 overall, the Eagles are clearly betting on him as Goedert's long-term replacement. He's the first Vanderbilt tight end drafted since 1986 and the Commodores' highest pick since Dayo Odeyingbo went 54th overall in 2021.
The Bottom Line
Eli Stowers' path from 4-star quarterback to Mackey Award-winning tight end shows the kind of adaptability and competitive drive that plays well in Philadelphia. He's not a finished product as a blocker, but his receiving skills and elite athleticism give the Eagles a dynamic weapon and a clear succession plan at tight end.
Don't be surprised if Stowers makes an immediate impact on passing downs while developing into a complete tight end over the next few years.