Why is Kelly not an automatic starter for Arsenal or England?
Why isn't Chloe Kelly an automatic starter for Arsenal or England?
The Philadelphia Eagles have acquired tight end Eli Stowers, a two-time First-Team All-SEC selection and John Mackey Award winner. His impressive NFL Combine performance adds to the excitement surrounding his arrival.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Eli Stowers is a two-time First-Team All-SEC selection and a John Mackey Award winner.
Eli Stowers had a record-setting performance at the NFL Combine.
Eli Stowers joined the Philadelphia Eagles after the draft.
Why isn't Chloe Kelly an automatic starter for Arsenal or England?

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Before deciding to focus solely on football, he won the 2019 Texas 6A state high jump title. He did so with a leap of seven feet.
Stowers continued playing quarterback early in his college career before transitioning to tight end, and he didn't just adapt. He thrived. That kind of positional versatility speaks volumes about his football IQ, work ethic, and willingness to evolve. It’s not easy to learn the nuances of blocking, route-running, and physical play at tight end, yet he handled it seamlessly. There's a reason the Eagles view Stowers as a potential successor to Dallas Goedert. He brings production, athleticism, intelligence, and versatility to the table. If all of those traits translate the way Philadelphia hopes, this won't just be another addition. It could be the next key piece in the offense's evolution.
This article originally appeared on Eagles Wire: 2026 NFL Draft: Five things to know about Eagles' TE Eli Stowers