Vanderbilt Tight End Stowers Shatters Vertical Record at NFL Combine

But scouts question his blocking skills despite impressive athleticism.

Apr. 11, 2026 at 5:38am

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting the explosive motion and energy of Eli Stowers' record-breaking vertical leap, with sharp, overlapping planes of color and form capturing the dynamic athleticism of the moment.Eli Stowers' explosive vertical leap at the NFL Combine shatters records and sparks debate over his well-rounded skills as a tight end.Today in Pittsburgh

Vanderbilt tight end Eli Stowers made headlines at the 2026 NFL Combine by shattering the vertical leap record with an astonishing 45'5" jump. However, some scouts have expressed concerns about his blocking abilities, despite his impressive receiving stats and accolades during his college career.

Why it matters

Stowers' performance at the Combine could significantly impact his draft stock, as NFL teams weigh his elite athleticism against questions about his well-rounded skill set as a tight end. The 2026 NFL Draft will be held in Pittsburgh, and Stowers is hoping to convince teams that his pass-catching prowess outweighs any blocking deficiencies.

The details

Stowers, who transferred to Vanderbilt in 2024 after stints at New Mexico State and Texas A&M, has been a dominant receiving threat for the Commodores, amassing 1,407 yards and 9 touchdowns over the past two seasons. He earned All-SEC First-Team and unanimous All-American honors in 2025. However, NFL.com analyst Lance Zierlein has raised concerns about Stowers' route-running and contested-catch ability, despite his impressive vertical leap at the Combine.

  • Stowers shattered the NFL Combine vertical leap record on April 10, 2026.
  • The 2026 NFL Draft will take place in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

The players

Eli Stowers

A 22-year-old tight end who transferred to Vanderbilt in 2024 after playing at New Mexico State and Texas A&M, Stowers is coming off a dominant college career and is now looking to impress NFL scouts with his elite athleticism.

Lance Zierlein

An NFL.com analyst who has provided in-depth analysis of Stowers' game, expressing concerns about his route-running and contested-catch ability despite his impressive athletic abilities.

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What they’re saying

“Despite his impressive athletic abilities, some scouts question his blocking skills.”

— Lance Zierlein, NFL.com Analyst

“I've made significant strides in my run-blocking skills over the past two years.”

— Eli Stowers

What’s next

The 2026 NFL Draft will take place in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where Stowers will have the opportunity to showcase his skills and convince teams that his elite athleticism outweighs any concerns about his blocking abilities.

The takeaway

Eli Stowers' record-breaking performance at the NFL Combine has generated significant buzz, but his draft stock will ultimately depend on how NFL teams weigh his impressive receiving skills against questions about his well-rounded abilities as a tight end. The 2026 NFL Draft in Pittsburgh will be a crucial proving ground for Stowers as he looks to solidify his place in the league.