NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Vanderbilt football student-athlete Eli Stowers was included on the John Mackey Award Watch List it was announced on Friday, making it the third time this week that he has been recognized as a candidate for a postseason award.
He was featured on the watch list for the Walter Camp Player of the Year Award Monday, then made the Biletnikoff Award Watch List two days later. The John Mackey award is given each year to the best tight end in college football.
Last fall, Stowers was a semifinalist for the honor after his first season with the program.
Originally from Denton, Texas, he finished with 49 receptions for 638 yards and scored five touchdowns in 2024, all totals that led the Commodores. Stowers posted his first career 100-yard game at Georgia State, catching a career-best nine passes for 110 yards and a score, then two weeks later recorded 113 yards on six receptions in Vandy’s victory over top-ranked Alabama. He also caught eight balls for a career-high 130 yards and a touchdown in a defeat of Ball State.
Following the season, Stowers was selected first-team All-SEC and was a third-team Phil Steele All-American.
Thus far he has been named preseason first-team All-America by the Walter Camp Football Foundation, The Sporting News, Athlon and Phil Steele.
The Dores open the season at FirstBank Stadium on Aug. 30, kicking off against Charleston Southern at 6 p.m. in the first of seven home games in 2025. Individuals can still purchase season tickets, mini-plans and single-game tickets by clicking here.
