- Joined
- May 8, 2002
- Posts
- 1,208,623
- Reaction score
- 59
TAMPA — Eli Stowers, the standout Vanderbilt football tight end, has opted out of the ReliaQuest Bowl, coach Clark Lea confirmed Dec. 28. But Stowers will still travel to Tampa and be with the team for the bowl game.
Stowers, the Mackey Award winner for college football’s best tight end, declared for the NFL draft on Dec. 26.
The No. 12 Commodores (10-2) will face Iowa (8-4) at Raymond James Stadium on Dec. 31 (11 a.m. CT, ESPN).
”Eli has been such an incredible part of the success of this team, and I'm so proud to have him as a Vanderbilt football alum,” Lea said. “I said this from the get-go, his health is our health, his success is our success and we support him and his decision not to play. I'm also very happy that he's been around and been with us and will be with us on Wednesday, and so he remains an important part of this team, but obviously for where he's projected in the draft, and for all that that can mean for him and also for this program, I support him all the way.”
Vanderbilt has only had one player drafted in Lea’s tenure, long snapper Julian Ashby in 2025. But Stowers could go as early as the first round after a 2025 season in which he caught 62 passes for 769 yards and four touchdowns.
Cole Spence, who has been a starting tight end alongside Stowers for the last two seasons, plans to return for the 2026 season, he said Dec. 28.
"I'm happy to say that I'm planning on coming back, which is exciting," Spence said. " ... I would love to bring all the guys we have back. I would love to bring Brycen (Coleman) back, Gabe (Fisher)'s our fullback."
Spence in 2025 caught 13 passes for 202 yards and two touchdowns. He also plays a significant role in the blocking game.
"What a blessing it has been just to be around Eli for this season, always poured into us, and how much I've learned from him, not just as a player, but as a man," Spence said. ... "With him gone, there's more reps to go around, and that's not just for me, that's for a lot of the other guys, so it's really exciting. Just I think everybody's read to step up to the plate."
Aria Gerson covers Vanderbilt athletics for The Tennessean. Contact her at [email protected] or on X @aria_gerson.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Clark Lea on Eli Stowers opting out of Vanderbilt football bowl
Continue reading...
Stowers, the Mackey Award winner for college football’s best tight end, declared for the NFL draft on Dec. 26.
The No. 12 Commodores (10-2) will face Iowa (8-4) at Raymond James Stadium on Dec. 31 (11 a.m. CT, ESPN).
”Eli has been such an incredible part of the success of this team, and I'm so proud to have him as a Vanderbilt football alum,” Lea said. “I said this from the get-go, his health is our health, his success is our success and we support him and his decision not to play. I'm also very happy that he's been around and been with us and will be with us on Wednesday, and so he remains an important part of this team, but obviously for where he's projected in the draft, and for all that that can mean for him and also for this program, I support him all the way.”
Vanderbilt has only had one player drafted in Lea’s tenure, long snapper Julian Ashby in 2025. But Stowers could go as early as the first round after a 2025 season in which he caught 62 passes for 769 yards and four touchdowns.
Cole Spence announces 2026 Vanderbilt football return
Cole Spence, who has been a starting tight end alongside Stowers for the last two seasons, plans to return for the 2026 season, he said Dec. 28.
"I'm happy to say that I'm planning on coming back, which is exciting," Spence said. " ... I would love to bring all the guys we have back. I would love to bring Brycen (Coleman) back, Gabe (Fisher)'s our fullback."
Spence in 2025 caught 13 passes for 202 yards and two touchdowns. He also plays a significant role in the blocking game.
"What a blessing it has been just to be around Eli for this season, always poured into us, and how much I've learned from him, not just as a player, but as a man," Spence said. ... "With him gone, there's more reps to go around, and that's not just for me, that's for a lot of the other guys, so it's really exciting. Just I think everybody's read to step up to the plate."
Aria Gerson covers Vanderbilt athletics for The Tennessean. Contact her at [email protected] or on X @aria_gerson.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Clark Lea on Eli Stowers opting out of Vanderbilt football bowl
Continue reading...
