Welcome, Hoosier fans to the 2025 Hoosier Huddle Countdown! Over the next 100 days the Hoosier Huddle staff will feature every player on the 2025 roster in anticipation of the season opener on August 30th against Old Dominion. Today, we look at transfer tight end Holden Staes.
COUNTDOWN TO KICKOFF: #19 Holden Staes
Height: 6’4”
Weight: 250 pounds
Hometown: Atlanta, GA (Westminster School)
Class/Position: Senior/ Tight End
Perhaps the biggest win this offseason was the addition of veteran tight end Holden Staes from the transfer portal. Ranked the #1 tight end in the portal in 2023, Staes initially began his career at Notre Dame, where he played in 22 games. As a sophomore for the Irish, Staes had 15 catches for 176 yards and four touchdowns.
Following his breakout 2023 season, Staes transferred to Tennessee. As a junior with the Volunteers, Staes was usually mostly as a blocking tight end, yet he still managed to tally 15 catches for 131 yards and a touchdown. Volunteers tight end coach Alec Albin summed up Staes’ game best, saying, “he has the body type and frame to do everything that we’re going to ask him to do inside of this league and our offense.”
Cut to 2025, and Staes has transferred once again, this time to the Hoosiers. As a gifted athlete with a ton of experience, Staes looks to be an excellent replacement for Zach Horton. With a big body and sure hands, Staes is poised to be a do-it-all player in both the Hoosiers’ run and pass games.
The Hoosier Huddle Countdown to Kickoff continues each and every day, so be sure to check back often for the latest profile piece!