<body><div><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=0mKgup_0vvxvQcd00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=0mKgup_0vvxvQcd00" width="1165" height="610" ><a href="https://247sports.com/college/vanderbilt/">Vanderbilt</a> shocked No. 1 <a href="https://247sports.com/college/alabama/">Alabama</a> <a href="https://247sports.com/article/where-vanderbilts-upset-of-no-1-alabama-ranks-among-college-footballs-all-time-best-237480129/">with a stunning 40-35 upset Saturday in Nashville</a>. The victory marks the Commodores' first-ever win over an opponent ranked in the top five of the AP poll, highlighted by a standout performance from tight end <a href="https://247sports.com/Player/eli-stowers-94402/">Eli Stowers</a> — a key transfer and former four-star quarterback prospect who made a massive impact to stun the Crimson Tide. The graduate transfer and fourth-year senior recorded a game-high 113 receiving yards on six catches. Stowers' breakout performance caps a remarkable journey from forgotten prospect to game-changing star in what stands as the biggest upset of the 2024 college football season so far.Stowers transferred to Vanderbilt from New Mexico State back in May. He started his college career at Texas A&amp;M where he served as a backup quarterback for two seasons. Ironically, Stowers was in the same recruiting class as Alabama star quarterback <a href="https://247sports.com/Player/Jalen-Milroe-46050317">Jalen Milroe</a>, who the Aggies and then-head coach <a href="https://247sports.com/coach/Jimbo-Fisher35">Jimbo Fisher</a> passed on in favor of Stowers.Stowers was a touted quarterback recruit coming out of powerhouse Denton (Texas) Guyer in the 2021 class. He rated as a four-star prospect and ranked as the No. 12 quarterback nationally. Stowers was an all-district selection at Guyer where he helped the Wildcats reach the state semifinals as a senior in 2020. He led Guyer to a Texas 6A state championship as a junior in 2019, earning a second-team all-state selection and Texas District 5-6A Co-Offensive MVP.Stowers signed with Texas A&amp;M over a number of suitors who offered, including Auburn, Clemson, Florida State, Georgia, LSU, Nebraska, Oregon, South Carolina, Tennessee and others. His two years with the Aggies were underwhelming, appearing in just five games as a backup quarterback. He transferred to New Mexico State ahead of the 2023 season where he blossomed into a reliable tight end threat, grabbing 35 receptions for 366 yards and two touchdowns. Stowers added 29 rushes for 113 yards and two touchdowns on the ground, while also completing 4 of 8 passes for 99 yards and a touchdown. He earned All-Conference USA honorable mention.This is not the first time Stowers had a big-time performance against an SEC power. He had four receptions for 48 yards and a touchdown when New Mexico State stunned Auburn in mid-November last season. Stowers entered the transfer portal in April during the spring window. The decision came a few months after then-New Mexico State head coach <a href="https://247sports.com/coach/Jerry-Kill-974">Jerry Kill</a> stepped down from his position and later joined the Vanderbilt staff as a chief consultant to the head coach. A handful of New Mexico State players followed Kill to Vanderbilt, including Stowers and starting quarterback <a href="https://247sports.com/Player/Diego-Pavia-46080494">Diego Pavia</a>, who developed a strong connection during their lone season together with the Aggies.Stowers rated as a three-star transfer in the most recent cycle, ranking as the No. 26 tight end nationally. The 6-foot-4, 235-pound tight end is now the leading receiver for Vanderbilt through Week 6, hauling in 25 receptions for 333 yards and a touchdown. Vanderbilt was 0-60 all-time against top-five teams coming in, including an 0-10 mark against No. 1-ranked teams.Brad Crawford contributed to this article.</div></body>

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Eli Stowers' journey from Texas A&M backup QB to Vanderbilt breakout star helps fuel upset of No. 1 Alabama

Vanderbilt shocked No. 1 Alabama with a stunning 40-35 upset Saturday in Nashville. The victory marks the Commodores' first-ever win over an opponent ranked in the top five of the AP poll, highlighted by a standout performance from tight end Eli Stowers — a key transfer and former four-star quarterback prospect who made a massive impact to stun the Crimson Tide. The graduate transfer and fourth-year senior recorded a game-high 113 receiving yards on six catches. Stowers' breakout performance caps a remarkable journey from forgotten prospect to game-changing star in what stands as the biggest upset of the 2024 college football season so far.

Eli Stowers' journey from Texas A&M backup QB to Vanderbilt breakout star helps fuel upset of No. 1 Alabama

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