When the Iowa Hawkeyes take on the Vanderbilt Commodores in the ReliaQuest Bowl from Tampa, Florida, the Hawkeyes can expect to be at full strength, with no opt-outs in play yet for Kirk Ferentz’s bunch.
Vanderbilt, which is led by Diego Pavia at quarterback, a Heisman finalist, cannot say the same with recent news coming out. The Commodores may be without their best pass-catching weapon on offense against Iowa.
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Brancon Marcello of CBS Sports is reporting that Vanderbilt Commodores All-American tight end Eli Stowers is expected to opt out of the ReliaQuest Bowl. Stowers is Vanderbilt’s leading receiver and will leave big shoes to fill against a stout Iowa defense.
Eli Stowers just finished his fifth season of college football, which was a winding journey of position changes and transfers. He began his career at Texas A&M in 2021 and spent two years there, moving from tight end to quarterback. He then transferred to New Mexico State for the 2023 season, where he was a quarterback and tight end.
Before the 2024 season, Stowers transferred to Vanderbilt, where he has blossomed. This season, on the way to becoming an All-American, Stowers reeled in 62 receptions for 769 yards and four touchdowns. He has 146 career receptions for 1,773 yards and 11 touchdowns.
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This article originally appeared on Hawkeyes Wire: Vanderbilt All-America TE expected to opt out vs. Iowa football
