Athlon Sports Releases Preseason All-Americans

Vanderbilt had one player named to the preseason teams and it wasn't quarterback Diego Pavia.

Vanderbilt Commodores quarterback Diego Pavia (2) celebrates with tight end Eli Stowers (9) after a touchdown during the fourth quarter against the Auburn Tigers at Jordan-Hare Stadium. | John Reed-Imagn Images

There’s a lot of hope and optimism surrounding Vanderbilt’s football team.

Quarterback Diego Pavia obviously plays a role in that, but just as important was tight end Eli Stowers deciding not to enter the NFL Draft and return to Nashville.

Stowers likely would’ve been a first-round draft pick after leading Vanderbilt in receiving last season. He caught 49 passes for 638 yards (13 ypc) and five touchdowns. He was named to the All-SEC first-team after the season, too.

Eli Stowers is Undoubtedly the Best Tight End in College Football

PFF’s #1 Returning Tight End for the 2025 Season⚓️ pic.twitter.com/xEMe3si7ka

— PFF College (@PFF_College) May 20, 2025

He can expect to be included in some preseason lists, too, starting with Athlon Sports’ 2025 Preseason All-America teams. Stowers was named to the first team and is the only Commodore to appear on the list.

Big catch and run from Vanderbilt TE Eli Stowers (No. 9) vs Alabama.

Role is primarily designed "easy" touches after switching from QB to TE (as well as changing schools 2x). As a fan of a team throwing to Stone Smartt, I'm curious what Stowers could do with more years at TE. pic.twitter.com/pQrskNMxDU

— Tyler Schoon (@tylerjschoon) January 4, 2025

Here are the complete first-, second-, and third-team All-Americans:

First-Team All-American

QB Arch Manning, Texas
RB Jeremiyah Love, Notre Dame
RB Nick Singleton, Penn State
AP Desmond Reid, Pitt
WR Jeremiah Smith, Ohio State
WR Ryan Williams, Alabama
WR Jordyn Tyson, Arizona State
TE Eli Stowers, Vanderbilt
OL Jake Slaughter, Florida
OL Spencer Fano, Utah
OL Kadyn Proctor, Alabama
OL Francisco Mauigoa, Miami
OL Olaivavega Ioane, Penn State
DL Dylan Stewart, South Carolina
DL Colin Simmons, Texas
DL TJ Parker, Clemson
DL Peter Woods, Clemson
LB Anthony Hill Jr., Texas
LB Whit Weeks, LSU
LB Kyle Louis, Pitt
LB Taurean York, Texas A&M
DB Leonard Moore, Notre Dame
DB Jermod McCoy, Tennessee
DB Caleb Downs, Ohio State
DB Dillon Thieneman, Oregon
K Dominic Zvada, Michigan
P Brett Thorson, Georgia
KR Keelan Marion, Miami
Josh Cameron, Baylor

Second-Team All-American

QB Cade Klubnik, Clemson
RB Makhi Hughes, Oregon
RB Isaac Brown, Louisville
AP Kaytron Allen, Penn State
WR Elijah Stewart, Indiana
WR Antonio Williams, Clemson
WR Carnell Tate, Ohio State
TE Jack Endries, Texas
C Logan Jones, Iowa
OL Parker Brailsford, Alabama
OL Kage Casey, Boise State
OL Ar’Maj Reed-Adams, Texas A&M
OL Aamil Wagner, Notre Dame
DL Mikail Kamara, Indiana
DL Dani Dennis-Sutton, Penn State
DL Matayo Uiagalelei, Oregon
DL Rueben Bain Jr., Miami
LB Suntarine Perkins, Ole Miss
LB Sonny Styles, Ohio State
LB CJ Allen, Georgia
LB Austin Romaine, Kansas State
CB Chandler Rivers, Duke
CB D’Angelo Ponds, Indiana
S Michael Taaffee, Texas
S KJ Bolden, Georgia
K Will Ferrin, BYU
P Rhys Dakin, Iowa
KR Barion Brown, LSU
PR Kaden Wetjen, Iowa

Third-Team All-American

QB Garrett Nussmeier, LSU
RB Bryson Washington, Baylor
RB Jonah Coleman, Washington
AP Dylan Edwards, Kansas State
WR Cam Coleman, Auburn
WR Makai Lemon, USC
TE Justin Joly, NC State
C Iapani Laloulu, Oregon
OL Jordan Seaton, Colorado
OL Gennings Dunker, Iowa
OL Cayden Green, Missouri
OL Blake Miller, Clemson
DL Trey White, San Diego State
DL Tyreak Sapp, Florida
DL Keldric Faulk, Auburn
DL LT Overton, Alabama
LB Aiden Fisher, Indiana
LB Gabe Jacas, Illinois
LB Drayk Bowen, Notre Dame
LB Deontae Lawson, Alabama
CB Malik Muhammad, Texas
CB Avieon Terrell, Clemson
S Koi Perich, Minnesota
S Isaiah Nwokobia, SMU
K Peyton Woodring, Georgia
P Palmer Williams, Baylor
PR Kam Shanks, Arkansas