Vanderbilt TE Eli Stowers goes to Philadelphia Eagles in second round of 2026 NFL Draft

The Athletic has live coverage of the 2026 NFL Draft.The Philadelphia Eagles selected Vanderbilt tight end Eli Stowers with the No. 54 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. Stowers was the No. 2-ranked tight end in “The Beast.”Originally recruited as a college quarterback, Stowers began his college career at Texas A&M. Multiple shoulder injuries forced him to change positions and become a tight end. After two years at Texas A&M, Stowers managed to get his collegiate career rolling at New Mexico State in 2023, where his quarterback was Diego Pavia. Stowers and Pavia both transferred to Vanderbilt in 2024 and spent the past two seasons together. Stowers has steadily improved in each of the last three seasons, going from 35 catches in 2023 to 49 in 2024 and 62 in 2025. His 769 receiving yards last year were a career best. Stowers was a first-team All-SEC pick in 2024 and became a first-team All-American and the Mackey Award winner in 2025.Advertisement