NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Vanderbilt graduate tight end Eli Stowers is one of 20 semifinalists for Jason Witten Collegiate Man of the Year honors it was revealed by the organization’s selection committee Tuesday.
The Denton, Texas, native—who has also been selected a 2025 William V. Campbell Trophy® semifinalist—is a candidate for the annual award presented to an individual who has demonstrated a record of leadership by exhibiting exceptional courage, integrity and sportsmanship both on and off the field. Three finalists for the Jason Witten Collegiate Man of the Year will be announced on Dec. 15, with the winner set to be recognized at an award ceremony at The Star in Frisco, Texas, on April 16, 2026.
Entering the Commodores’ matchup with LSU, Stowers leads the team with 25 receptions for 323 yards, both totals that are among the best nationally at tight end. He has recorded at least 65 yards in three contests so far this season and finished with three catches in every game to help the Dores average 43.2 points and 467.5 yards per outing on their way to their first 5-0 start since 2008.
Stowers was a unanimous preseason first-team All-American selection over the summer after returning to the program following a campaign that saw him post 49 catches for 638 yards and five touchdowns on the way to earning All-SEC honors. After recording the second-most receiving yards and touchdown receptions by a Vanderbilt tight end since the 1996 season, he was a semifinalist for the John Mackey Award and also earned third-team All-America recognition from Phil Steele.
Over the last two years, Stowers—who was named to the 2024-25 First-Year SEC Academic Honor Roll—has received both his undergraduate degree from New Mexico State and a master’s degree in finance from Vanderbilt. He is currently working toward a master’s of legal studies this fall.
A team captain this season, he has been a leader for the Dores in both the community and the locker room. In addition to taking part in multiple events supporting children at the Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital, Stowers has supported the Dancing Dores campaign while also participating in Vandy’s Student-Athlete Advisory Council holiday party and veterans’ hospital visit prior to the Birmingham Bowl.
Stowers and No. 17/18 Vanderbilt play host to LSU, ranked 10th in both polls, Saturday at 11 a.m. at FirstBank Stadium with the contest airing on ABC.