Tight End Exodus: Holden Staes Breaks Silence on Why He Left the Tennessee Volunteers
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — May 16, 2025
In a move that sent ripples through the Tennessee Volunteers’ fanbase this offseason, standout tight end Holden Staes made headlines when he entered the transfer portal and ultimately committed to the Indiana Hoosiers for his final year of eligibility. After arriving in Knoxville just one year prior from Notre Dame, Staes was projected to be a key figure in the Vols’ offense for 2025. Instead, he opted to make a fresh start—again.
Now, for the first time since his transfer, Staes has gone on the record to provide an extensive and candid explanation behind his departure from Tennessee. In a sit-down interview with Rocky Top Report, the 6-foot-4, 245-pound tight end detailed the combination of internal dynamics, evolving roles, and personal reflection that led to his unexpected exit.
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“It Wasn’t About the Fans – It Was About the Fit”
“There’s no sugarcoating it—I loved the fans, I loved Neyland,” Staes began. “Tennessee gave me a platform I’ll always be grateful for. But when it came down to the football side of things, I just didn’t feel like the fit was evolving the way I thought it would.”
Staes had entered the portal after the 2023 season, leaving Notre Dame due to limited usage in the Irish offense despite being one of their most talented tight ends. With Tennessee’s high-octane offense under head coach Josh Heupel, he saw an opportunity to stretch the field, line up wide, and become a true hybrid threat.
“For a while, it looked like that was going to happen,” Staes said. “I was in talks with Coach Heupel and Coach Golesh during recruitment, and they told me they envisioned a Travis Kelce-type role—where I could motion out, create mismatches, and be a go-to red zone guy. That sold me.”
However, Staes admitted that what was promised in theory didn’t always translate on the field.
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A Role That Never Expanded
During the 2024 season, Staes posted modest numbers: 17 receptions for 213 yards and two touchdowns. While he flashed his athleticism in spurts, he was largely relegated to inline blocking duties or being the second option behind the team’s wide receiver corps, which was deep and explosive, featuring Dont’e Thornton Jr. and freshman phenom Braxton Tanner.
“The offense was clicking, no doubt. But it wasn’t clicking through me. And that’s hard to swallow when you know what you can bring,” Staes explained. “I had games where I didn’t even get a target. I was chipping edge rushers 90% of the time. That’s not why I transferred here.”
He added that the offensive system was becoming increasingly vertical—less reliant on tight ends and more focused on speed on the perimeter. “I’m not just a blocker. I’m not just a safety valve. I’m a weapon, man,” he said with a slight smile.
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Coaching Shifts, Locker Room Tensions
While Staes did not go into specific detail about tension with staff, he did imply that internal communication began to fray as the season progressed.
“There were a lot of cooks in the kitchen, let’s put it that way,” he said. “And when a team doesn’t exactly prioritize the tight end position, there’s not much leverage you have. I kept my head down, I kept grinding, but when your name isn’t being called even when you’re wide open—yeah, it wears on you.”
Sources within the Tennessee program confirmed there were internal conversations late in the season about shifting Staes to a more prominent pass-catching role. But with the emergence of other weapons and a quarterback in Nico Iamaleava who preferred the outside throws, those plans never materialized.
In December, as bowl preparation began, Staes made his decision.
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Why Indiana?
Perhaps the most surprising aspect of Staes’ transfer was his destination. Indiana, a program that had struggled in recent years, seemed like a step back for a player with NFL potential. But Staes insists the choice was strategic.
“Indiana’s bringing in a new offensive coordinator, and they made me feel like a centerpiece,” he explained. “They showed me tape, they showed me packages that were built around my strengths. I’m going to be used as a slot weapon, split wide, even motioned into the backfield.”
He also mentioned the mental health aspect of the move.
“This isn’t just about football—it’s about happiness,” Staes said. “I was waking up some days in Knoxville just feeling drained. You shouldn’t feel that way when you’re chasing your dream.”
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Reflections on His Tennessee Chapter
Despite the sour ending, Staes says he holds no ill will toward the Volunteers or their supporters.
“I know some people are gonna say I quit on the team or whatever, but that’s not the case. I left because I want to be the best version of myself—and sometimes that means walking away from a place you love,” he said.
He still talks to teammates, he says, and continues to support Tennessee from afar.
“When you run through that T in front of 100,000 people, that sticks with you. I’ll never forget that.”
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What’s Next?
Holden Staes is now enrolled at Indiana and is expected to be a major part of their offensive scheme in 2025. Scouts continue to watch his development closely, with many believing he could be a mid-round NFL Draft pick if given a productive final season.
Meanwhile, Tennessee has moved on by recruiting new tight ends and developing younger talent, including 4-star recruit Jace Tomlinson, who is expected to take over as the starting TE in 2025.
But for Vols fans, the memory of what could have been with Staes remains bittersweet.
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“All I ever wanted was to show people what I can do,” Staes concluded. “Now I finally will.”
