Transfer Portal: Former Notre Dame TE Holden Staes to continue career at Tennessee
Former Notre Dame tight end Holden Staes has found a new home. On Friday, the 6-foot-4 1/4, 242-pounder announced he would transfer to Tennessee. Staes revealed he was entering the transfer portal on Dec. 1 with two years of collegiate eligibility remaining. He picked the Volunteers after also officially visiting Washington.
“Tennessee won out because of their need at the tight end position, the vacancy in the room and how they see me as a top guy that can come in and do big things,” Staes told On3. “I went up there on my visit and saw a great opportunity at Tennessee. I felt comfortable with the coaches, I trusted them and I liked their plan for me.
“Tennessee is a very powerful brand too. I took visits, I listened to a lot of schools and I made the best decision. They have a great plan and that is why I am going with Tennessee.”
According to On3’s Transfer Portal player rankings, Staes was the No. 243 overall player and the No. 19 tight end. His On3 NIL Valuation annual value is $211,000, which ranks him No. 400 among college football players.
Staes appeared in 22 games during his Notre Dame football career. As a sophomore, he played in 11 outings, caught 15 passes for 176 yards (11.7 yards per catch) and had 4 touchdowns.
A product of The Westminster School in Atlanta, Staes made his collegiate debut as a freshman against Marshall on Sept. 10, 2022. He caught an 11-yard pass against BYU during the annual Shamrock Series game on Oct. 8, 2022.
Staes is the seventh former Notre Dame player to find a new home this month. Also on Friday, freshman wide receiver Rico Flores Jr. revealed his commitment to transfer to UCLA. Fellow freshman wide receiver Braylon James picked TCU on Monday. James followed Irish graduate transfer defensive lineman Nana Osafo-Mensah to Fort Worth, Texas, to play for the Horn Frogs.
Graduate student offensive lineman Zeke Correll will play his final season at NC State. Graduate student wide receiver Chris Tyree is also going to the ACC to play for his home state school, the University of Virginia. Former Irish offensive lineman Joey Tanona, who medically retired after an automobile accident, announced he would return to football and days later committed to Purdue.
As a recruit, Staes, a four-star, reported about 25 Power Five offers. According to the On3 Industry Ranking, a proprietary algorithm that compiles ratings and rankings from all four primary recruiting media services, Staes was the No. 234 overall player, No. 9 tight end nationally and No. 26 prospect in Georgia. He signed with the Irish over Georgia, LSU and Texas.
