Former Notre Dame tight end off to SEC

Nick Shepkowski

Wed, Jan 3, 2024, 8:45 AM·19 min read

At the start of the 2023 season, it appeared young tight end Holden Staes was on his way to becoming one of the next great tight ends at Notre Dame. Specifically, it came as Notre Dame won at North Carolina State in a game Staes went for over 100-receiving yards and two touchdowns.

By the end of the season, however, he had 16 total receptions. He didn’t find the end zone again after Sept. 16; he had done so four times to that point. Days after the regular season ended, States entered the transfer portal, and on Friday he announced his latest intentions.

BREAKING: Former Notre Dame TE Holden Staes has Committed to Tennessee, he tells @on3sports
The 6’4 240 TE chose the Vols over Georgia, Washington, & others
One of the Top TEs in the Portal 👀🍊https://t.co/WkHsl9XNHK pic.twitter.com/d8k4exXp7t
— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) December 15, 2023

Tennessee won over Georgia and Washington.

Staes checks in at 6 feet, 4 inches and 242 pounds. He came to Notre Dame from Atlanta where he attended high school at The Westminster School.

He finishes his Notre Dame career with 22 receptions for 187 yards and four touchdowns.

All the best in Knoxville to him.

JOHN BECKSVOORT

9 NOV 1991: TENNESSEE KICKER JOHN BECKSVOORT BEGINS TO KICK DURING THE VOLUNTEERS 35-34 VICTORY OVER…

9 NOV 1991: TENNESSEE KICKER JOHN BECKSVOORT BEGINS TO KICK DURING THE VOLUNTEERS 35-34 VICTORY OVER THE NOTRE DAME FIGHTING IRISH AT NOTRE DAME STADIUM IN SOUTH BEND, INDIANA. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Daniel/ALLSPORT

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Tennessee v Notre Dame X

3 Nov 2001 : Quarterback Carlyle Holiday #7 of Notre Dame is overwhelmed by the Tennessee…

3 Nov 2001 : Quarterback Carlyle Holiday #7 of Notre Dame is overwhelmed by the Tennessee defense during the game at Notre Dame Stadium in South Bend, Indiana. Tennessee won 28-10. DIGITAL IMAGE. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Daniel/Allsport

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Tennessee v Notre Dame X

3 Nov 2001 : Quarterback Casey Clausen #7 of Tennessee during the game against Notre Dame…

3 Nov 2001 : Quarterback Casey Clausen #7 of Tennessee during the game against Notre Dame at Notre Dame Stadium in South Bend, Indiana. Tennessee won 28-10. DIGITAL IMAGE. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Daniel/Allsport

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Tennessee v Notre Dame X

3 Nov 2001 : Travis Stephens #34 of Tennessee during the game against Notre Dame at…

3 Nov 2001 : Travis Stephens #34 of Tennessee during the game against Notre Dame at Notre Dame Stadium in South Bend, Indiana. Tennessee won 28-10. DIGITAL IMAGE. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Daniel/Allsport

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Tennessee v Notre Dame X

3 Nov 2001 : Donte'' Stallworth #4 of Tennessee in action against Notre Dame during the…

3 Nov 2001 : Donte'' Stallworth #4 of Tennessee in action against Notre Dame during the game at Notre Dame Stadium in South Bend, Indiana. Tennessee won 28-10. DIGITAL IMAGE. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Daniel/Allsport

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Tennessee v Notre Dame X

3 Nov 2001 : Casey Clausen #7 of Tennessee drops back to throw a pass against…

3 Nov 2001 : Casey Clausen #7 of Tennessee drops back to throw a pass against Notre Dame during the game at Notre Dame Stadium in South Bend, Indiana. Tennessee won 28-10. DIGITAL IMAGE. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Daniel/Allsport

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Carlyle Holiday runs the option

3 Nov 2001: Quarterback Carlyle Holiday #7 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish runs the option…

3 Nov 2001: Quarterback Carlyle Holiday #7 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish runs the option during the college football game against the Tennessee Volunteers at Notre Dame Stadium in South Bend, Indiana. The Volunteers defeated the Fighting Irish 28-18. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Daniel/Allsport

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Scott Wells squats over the ball

3 Nov 2001: Center Scott Wells #64 of the Tennessee Volunteers squats over the ball during…

3 Nov 2001: Center Scott Wells #64 of the Tennessee Volunteers squats over the ball during the college football game against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Notre Dame Stadium in South Bend, Indiana. The Volunteers defeated the Fighting Irish 28-18. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Daniel/Allsport

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Travis Henry waits for the snap

3 Nov 2001: Running back Travis Henry #34 of the Tennessee Volunteers waits for the snap…

3 Nov 2001: Running back Travis Henry #34 of the Tennessee Volunteers waits for the snap during the college football game against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Notre Dame Stadium in South Bend, Indiana. The Volunteers defeated the Fighting Irish 28-18. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Daniel/Allsport

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John Henderson rushes around Brennan Curtin

3 Nov 2001: Defensive tackle John Henderson #98 of the Tennessee Volunteers rushes up field around…

3 Nov 2001: Defensive tackle John Henderson #98 of the Tennessee Volunteers rushes up field around offensive lineman Brennan Curtin #63 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish during the college football game at Notre Dame Stadium in South Bend, Indiana. The Volunteers defeated the Fighting Irish 28-18. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Daniel/Allsport

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Albert Haynesworth tries to get past Kyle Budinscak

3 Nov 2001: Defensive tackle Kyle Budinscak #92 of the Tennessee Volunteers tries to get past…

3 Nov 2001: Defensive tackle Kyle Budinscak #92 of the Tennessee Volunteers tries to get past defensive end Kyle Budinscak #92 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish during the college football game at Notre Dame Stadium in South Bend, Indiana. The Volunteers defeated the Fighting Irish 28-18. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Daniel/Allsport

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