Eli Stove senior spotlight: ‘Make my name known’

Eli Stove senior spotlight: ‘Make my name known’Eli Stove senior spotlight: ‘Make my name known’

AUBURN, Ala. – Though his journey on the Plains has been unorthodox, senior wide receiver Eli Stove is not letting that deter him from cementing his name amongst the other all-time greats at Auburn. He wants to be elite, and he knows this team wants to be elite. 

"I really want to be the best receiver in the SEC and in the nation," Stove said. "So I am putting in the work. And I think a lot of guys feel the same way about how they want to play, and they are working just as hard. We are focusing on winning a national championship. 

"Some teams say that, but we have the opportunity to do it this year. If you prepare for every game like it's the national championship, you're eventually going to get there." 

Stove credits his father for molding him into the player he is today, but credit also goes to his little league coaches in Kansas, where he started playing in the third grade. He started out as a quarterback and a running back because of his athleticism, but once his coaches saw how good his hands were and the agility he possessed, they decided it was time to give him a shot at wide receiver. 

"Once they made me try [wide receiver] and I got used to playing there, I excelled and I stopped playing running back and quarterback altogether," Stove said.

Ten years later, Stove became one of the top wide receivers in the high school class of 2016. Coming out of Niceville, (Fla.) High, he was recruited by several top-tier schools, including three of the four schools to make the College Football Playoff the year before, before ultimately deciding to attend Auburn. 

His first two years with the Tigers were filled with unique moments. 

"My first year as a freshman, actually playing, that was fun," Stove said. "Of course, the Arkansas game is a fond memory. That was my first touchdown. Then, getting to go to the Sugar Bowl to finish that season was a great experience. 

"My sophomore year, beating Georgia and Alabama back-to-back was huge," he added. "It got us all the way to the SEC Championship."

However, Stove's path was derailed in the spring of 2018 when he suffered an ACL injury that forced him to redshirt his junior season. The injury left him with a feeling of unfinished business and a legacy that has yet to be completed. 

Looking forward to the upcoming season, Stove feels that no matter the circumstances or format of what will be his senior campaign, he will make it one to remember.

"This year is the year to earn the respect I know I deserve," he said. "I want to make my name known not only at Auburn but throughout the college football world.

"I was hurt in past years and then I had my freshman and sophomore years where I was still getting acclimated to the team, but this year I know my full capabilities will be shown in my play on the field."

It might not have been the path Stove envisioned when he signed at Auburn, but he believes it's the adversity he has overcome throughout his career that gives him the drive and determination to keep pushing and to lead his team into battle every time they step on the field. 

Because of his drive and determination, Stove has earned the respect of his teammates. Though not a vocal leader, he leads more with his actions. 

"Eli is our leader on and off the field," junior Anthony Schwartz said. "He gives it his all no matter what. We really respect that."

"Eli's like a big brother to me," added junior Seth Williams. "One thing that I admire about him – besides him being such a great dancer -- is his never-quit attitude. Watching him come back from his knee injury and playing that next season – he's a fighter and we know we can count on him." 

So what should Auburn fans expect from a healthy Stove in 2020? 

"I'm going out with a bang," he said. "The 2020 season will be one for fans to remember for sure."