William V. Campbell Trophy® at tonight’s 67th National Football Foundation Annual Awards Dinner Presented by Las Vegas.

“It’s such an honor just to be able to experience this and to be in the presence of the people up on this stage,” said Stowers. “Thank you so much for giving me the opportunity to experience this. It’s a once in a lifetime moment…. My dad was a player and a coach at one point…. Ever since I was born, I was around the game. So, thank you so much for that, dad. Thank you mom, for continuing to support me. Both of y’all continue to teach me and work hard at pride in everything I do, ”

The Campbell Trophy^® ranks as one of college football’s most sought-after and competitive awards, recognizing an individual as the absolute best in the country for his combined academic success, football performance and exemplary leadership. Awarded since 1990, the 24-inch, 25-pound bronze trophy comes with a $25,000 postgraduate scholarship.

“Eli Stowers has distinguished himself as one of the nation’s top tight ends, and his commitment to excellence extends well beyond the field,” said NFF Chairman Archie Manning, whose sons, Peyton (Campbell Trophy^® recipient) and Eli, were NFF National Scholar-Athletes in 1997 and 2003, respectively. “He has performed at the highest levels in the classroom while serving as a tremendous ambassador for our sport. Eli embodies everything the Campbell Trophy^® stands for, and everything that is right about college football. We are proud to welcome him into this elite fraternity of recipients.”