Vanderbilt’s Eli Stowers reportedly makes decision on bowl game
By Sydney Hunte
Published:
Vanderbilt tight end Eli Stowers opted to return for his final year of eligibility in 2025 instead of declaring for the NFL Draft. It ended up being a good decision, as the Commodores enjoyed a historic campaign.
Stowers’ college career, though, has apparently come to an end. He will reportedly opt out of the ReliaQuest Bowl, set for Dec. 31. CBS Sports’ Brandon Marcello reported the news on Sunday afternoon.
Stowers’ college career began at Texas A&M, as he signed with the Aggies out of the class of 2021 as a four-star recruit. With the Aggies, he played just five games across two seasons. He then entered the transfer portal and ended up at New Mexico State, making 35 catches for 366 yards and two touchdowns and rushing for two more scores.
After Stowers’ teammate at New Mexico State, Diego Pavia, transferred to Vanderbilt ahead of the 2024 season, Stowers eventually joined him. That year, he totaled 638 yards and five touchdowns and was named first-team All-SEC.
In 2025, Stowers made 62 catches for 769 yards and four TDs, picking up first-team All-SEC honors for the second straight season. Along with being named a unanimous All-American selection, he won the Mackey Award and Campbell Trophy.
Sydney is an Atlanta-based journalist who has covered everything from SEC and ACC football to MLS, the U.S. men's national soccer team and professional tennis. His work has appeared on such platforms as SB Nation, Cox Media Group and FanSided.
