Vanderbilt TE Eli Stowers to return for final season

Field Level Media|published: Thu 9th January, 11:27 2025

Nov 2, 2024; Auburn, Alabama, USA; Vanderbilt Commodores quarterback Diego Pavia (2) celebrates with tight end Eli Stowers (9) after a touchdown during the fourth quarter against the Auburn Tigers at Jordan-Hare Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Reed-Imagn Images

First-team All-SEC tight end Eli Stowers will return to Vanderbilt for the 2025 season instead of heading to the NFL.

The 6-foot-4, 225-pound senior began his career at Texas A&M (2021-22), played at New Mexico State in 2023 and transferred to the Commodores in 2024.

Stowers told ESPN he is staying in Nashville another season in order to become "the best version of myself" and to help "change the culture and reputation of the program."

Stowers caught 49 passes for 638 yards and five touchdowns in 13 games for Vanderbilt (7-6), including 100-yard games against Georgia State, Alabama and Ball State.

He has 84 catches for 1,004 yards and seven touchdowns in 33 career games, adding 35 carries for 132 yards and two scores.

--Field Level Media