Notre Dame transfer Holden Staes commits to Tennessee
Needing instant help in the transfer portal, Tennessee got their man as Notre Dame transfer Holden Staes chose Tennessee on Friday. He announced his decision after a whirlwind week of visits.
It goes without saying, the time spent around the coaching staff last weekend, especially with Alec Abeln and Josh Heupel was important for Staes as well during the multi-day stop.
“I am going with Tennessee because they provide the best opportunity for me,” Staes told Volquest prior to committing. “I made a great relationship with Coach Abeln, Coach Halzle, and Coach Heup. Coach Abeln was the first coach to come up to South Bend and visit me once I put my name in the portal. That was a big thing for me, and the opportunity they have there at the position. They have two guys leaving and I am expected to come in and lead the charge in that room and help the offense suceed and make plays happen next year. I felt really good leaving the Tennessee visit, but I had some great options I had to check out, but I kind of left the visits at Washington and Georgia thinking the opportunity at Tennessee was too much to pass up. After l left UGA with my parents, and we talked it over, there was a lot of good things there, but what I could do for Tennessee and what they could offer me was too much to pass up.”
Following the visits, there was some excitement for the transfer tight end to tell his future position coach he was headed to Knoxville.
“It was highly anticipated,” Staes said of telling Abeln. “I think they made it known from the jump I was their guy. I visited there first, but then I had some other visits to make, so I kept him on his toes a little bit. Once I told him I made the decision and felt confident about coming to Tennessee, he was excited. He told me he was waiting on someone to put their trust in him because he is a young coach. I had a lot of coaches come at me with impressive resumes, but he was looking for a tight end to put their trust in him to coach him up and help us do great things. He was really excited, and I am really excited to play for him and get to know him the next couple of years.
Staes also enjoyed the opportunity to connect with Ethan Davis and looks forward to growing with him.
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“We are both from Atlanta, so we knew each other coming in,” Staes said of Davis. “We have a lot of things in common, and I think our games are very similar. I think we will be able to help each other a lot in terms of growth and will push each other. I am coming in as the other guy, so they have told me to continue to help him out when he steps on the field, because I have been there before. Just coming in and being a leader in that room and leading by example.”
Staes will also be on the campus for bowl practice over the next week, which is something he is looking forward to.
“I think from the mental aspect, it will help a lot,” Staes said. “Obviously I won’t be able to get it all one a week, but to start to get a grasp of the playbook will be big. Seeing the way they play and getting my feet wet and getting immersed in it a little bit. Getting around the veteran guys and picking their brain a little bit and seeing what I am about to step into for sure.”
Over the course of two seasons at Notre Dame, Staes caught 16 passes for 187 yards and four touchdowns. Staes will have two seasons of eligibility remaining at Tennessee.
