Indiana football became a transfer portal hotspot under head coach Curt Cignetti, and that strategy led to an unexpected College Football Playoff appearance. Now, the Hoosiers are adding a key talent who has firsthand experience in the postseason.
Indiana has strengthened its offense by securing tight end Holden Staes from Tennessee, according to Matt Zenitz of 247Sports. Staes was part of the Volunteers’ CFP team and caught 15 passes for 131 yards and one touchdown during the 2024 season, including a touchdown against North Carolina State on September 7.
Standing 6-foot-4 and weighing 248 pounds, Staes was Tennessee’s second tight end behind Miles Kitselman, who contributed 22 receptions for 301 yards and four touchdowns. Together, they helped the Vols rank 15th in total offense and third in the SEC.
Staes is heading to his third collegiate stop after transferring from Notre Dame in December 2023. The four-star tight end prospect originally joined Notre Dame in 2022.
Cignetti’s aggressive approach in the transfer portal has continued to pay off, as Indiana has added several high-profile players, including former Cal quarterback Fernando Mendoza and Michigan wide receiver Tyler Morris. They also recently added offensive tackle Zen Michalski from Ohio State and welcomed back interior lineman Kahlil Benson from Colorado.
With the addition of Staes, Indiana now ranks fourth among Big Ten teams for the 2025 transfer class, having brought in top-tier power conference talent, including a key player from a College Football Playoff contender in the SEC.
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