5 things to know about Eagles second round tight end Eli Stowers

The Philadelphia Eagles had quite the night. The long-awaited move finally came as they landed Jonathan Greenard via trade, and at the same time, they quietly added another intriguing piece by welcoming Eli Stowers to the nest.

The acquisition of an outstanding offensive tackle, Markell Bell, came later. Each move will certainly be dissected for weeks, but let’s take a second to talk about the new tight end. Stowers arrives with an impressive résumé. He’s a two-time First-Team All-SEC selection, a John Mackey Award winner, and a Unanimous All-American. Those are the headlines most fans already know, and they’re enough to generate excitement on their own.

Still, there's much more to his story. Here are four fun facts that add even more intrigue to his arrival.

1. His performance at the NFL Combine was record-setting.

Eli Stowers didn't just perform well at the NFL Combine. He made history. If this were the Olympics, he would have returned home with at least two gold medals. His 45.5-inch vertical jump set a record for any position. His 11-foot-3 broad jump established a new standard for tight ends. Those numbers aren't just impressive; they're rare indicators of the explosiveness that could translate immediately at the next level.

2. He's as impressive in the classroom as he is on the field.

Stowers earned the 2025 William V. Campbell Trophy, one often referred to as the “Academic Heisman.” That honor is reserved for players who excel in academics, leadership, and performance, reinforcing that his profile extends well beyond football.

3. Eli Stowers was a dynamic quarterback before becoming a tight end.

Stowers' football journey began under center. As a high school junior, he passed for nearly 3,000 yards and 36 touchdowns while adding over 1,100 rushing yards and 11 more scores on the ground. He continued to play QB in college before transitioning to tight end. That dual-threat background mirrors in some ways and could help accelerate chemistry at the next level.