Once a highly-recruited quarterback, Eli Stowers has found a home at Vanderbilt and has gone from a relative nobody to a reliable and unique offensive weapon. Here is a 2025 NFL Draft Early Scouting Report and film analysis on him.
Overview, Film Analysis, and Early 2025 NFL Draft Scouting Report of Vanderbilt TE Eli Stowers
Measurables:
- 6’4”
- 235 lbs
Player Background:
Originally a four-star quarterback recruit, Eli Stowers graduated from Denton Guyer High School (Texas) in the 2021 class. The 7th-ranked QB and 4th-ranked Dual Threat QB in the country, he committed to Texas A&M in July 2019. He was only active for five games across two seasons with the Aggies, all five of which as the reserve QB. He entered the transfer portal in the 2023 offseason and committed to New Mexico State. He transitioned to tight end midway through their summer and fall camp sessions.
In his lone season with NMSU, Stowers did just about everything for the Aggies offense. He attempted eight passes, completing four for 99 yards and a touchdown. He ran the ball 29 times for 125 yards and two scores. His biggest contributions came in the passing game, snagging 35 balls for 366 yards and another two TDs. He entered the portal again, this time ending up at Vanderbilt. He’s accumulated 557 receiving yards and four touchdowns on 42 catches through the team’s first 10 games.
Accolades:
- Honorable Mention All-Conference USA (2023)
- PFF National Team of the Week (2024)
- The Athletic College Football “Freaks” List (2024)
- Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award Honorable Mention (2024)
- John Mackey Award Semifinalist (2024)
Strengths/Pros:
Stowers’ strengths are rooted in his knowledge of the game and his reliable hands. He understands the development of plays extremely well, understanding where lanes will open as a ball carrier. His hands are solid at all angles, reeling in passes thrown away from his body at a high rate. He’s a smart mover in space, maximizing his yards after the catch knowing he doesn’t have breakaway speed.
The body control Stowers has with the ball in his hands is particularly advanced, with a plethora of deceptive moves in all directions. He sinks into a smooth forward drive after stopping his momentum and can glide forward an extra few yards. He flashes some sharper inside cuts when working downfield as a route runner. His route-running overall isn’t anything crazy, but it’s good enough to succeed in the short and intermediate passing game consistently.
Weaknesses/Cons:
Stowers’ past as a former quarterback is most noticeable in his all-around lack of physicality. Vanderbilt rarely puts him into blocking schemes and for good reason. His vision as a blocker is a major issue, often trying to work downfield and letting defenders fly by him. He doesn’t stick defenders very well and his technique needs a good amount of work. The physicality concerns carry into his routes, often struggling with press coverages and contact on his cuts.
As a receiver, Stowers’ comfort level is noticeably lower when there are bodies around him. His speed decreases and his movements have much less intent behind him. His cuts and stops are extended when working to settle into open space, delaying when he becomes an available target. He breaks off the line slower when he runs hitches and comebacks, leaving him unable to fully sell them.
Potential Team Fits:
NFL Projection:
As a liability in the blocking game, Eli Stowers’ fit in the NFL is more of a “flex” TE than a standard one. He’s both smart and athletic enough to fit in an offense as a receiving weapon and offers teams a Taysom Hill-esque versatility. While a likely longer-term project, he should be able to be used as a rotational safety valve immediately entering the league. He would need to make massive strides to establish himself as a stable starter but has the tools to become a mainstay as a do-it-all player in the right system.
Prospect Grade:
- Early to Mid-4th Round
Film Exposures:
- 2024 vs. Missouri
- 2024 vs. Texas
- 2023 vs. Auburn
Main Photo: John Reed-Imagn Images
