Vanderbilt TE Eli Stowers Continues Blocking Skill Development

Former Texas A&M QB transformed into one of nation's top tight ends at Vanderbilt

Published on Feb. 27, 2026

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Eli Stowers began his college career as a quarterback at Texas A&M, appearing in five games over two seasons as a backup before transferring to New Mexico State. He played quarterback and tight end for one season there before transferring to Vanderbilt, where he transformed himself into one of the nation's best tight ends, winning the Mackey Award in 2025. While his receiving skills are unquestioned, Stowers says his run blocking, which has come a long way, still needs work as he continues to hone that aspect of his game.

Why it matters

Stowers' transition from quarterback to elite tight end is an impressive feat, showcasing his versatility and adaptability as a player. His development as a blocker is crucial for Vanderbilt's offense, as tight ends play a key role in both the passing and running game.

The details

Stowers led Vanderbilt with 49 receptions for 638 yards and 5 touchdowns in 2025. He says playing quarterback was pivotal in his transition to tight end, as it helped him understand the game and what everyone on offense is doing. However, the blocking aspect was the newest technique for him, coming from the quarterback position. Stowers acknowledges he still has room for improvement in his blocking, but considers himself a 'good' blocker at this point, despite not being perfect.

  • Stowers appeared in 5 games over 2 seasons as a backup QB at Texas A&M.
  • Stowers transferred to New Mexico State, where he played QB and TE for 1 season.
  • Stowers transferred to Vanderbilt, where he transformed into one of the nation's best TEs in 2025.

The players

Eli Stowers

A former quarterback at Texas A&M and New Mexico State who has transformed himself into one of the nation's top tight ends at Vanderbilt, winning the Mackey Award in 2025.

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What they’re saying

“If you would have told me even three, four years ago that I was going be playing tight end, I would have thought you were crazy. I was a quarterback through and through.”

— Eli Stowers, Vanderbilt Tight End

“But playing quarterback was pivotal in my transition to tight end, just making it easier because I understood the game. Like, as a quarterback, you have to understand what everybody's doing on offense, what everybody's doing on defense.”

— Eli Stowers, Vanderbilt Tight End

“That was the newest thing to me, newest technique, newest movement, coming from quarterback. That was something you never did as a quarterback. I think that's something that I've gotten a lot better [at doing], but I want to continue to try to learn and watch film and hone in on my technique.”

— Eli Stowers, Vanderbilt Tight End

“I think that people don't give me enough credit for the strides I've already taken in my blocking game. I'm not saying I'm perfect. I'm not saying there's [not] a whole lot more I can continue to grow [in], but I think I'm a good blocker at this point.”

— Eli Stowers, Vanderbilt Tight End

The takeaway

Eli Stowers' transformation from quarterback to elite tight end at Vanderbilt showcases his versatility and adaptability as a player. While he still has room for improvement in his blocking technique, his development in that area is crucial for Vanderbilt's offense, as tight ends play a key role in both the passing and running game.