Junior tight end Holden Staes will play just his second game with the Vols when Tennessee takes on NC State this weekend, but it won’t be his first run-in with the Wolfpack.
As a sophomore with Notre Dame last season, Staes played a key, dominant role in the Fighting Irish’s 45-24 win over NC State in Raleigh.
Staes was terrific in the game as he led Notre Dame’s pass catchers in receptions, yards, and touchdowns. Staes finished the game with 115 receiving yards and two scores on just four receptions, also ending the contest as the game’s fourth-leading player in total offensive yards behind ND QB Sam Hartman, NCSU QB Brennan Armstrong, and ND running back Audric Estime.
Staes recorded his first two receptions on a key third-quarter drive to extend Notre Dame’s lead, hauling in two passes for 68 yards including a 40-yard touchdown catch. Staes snuck out into the flats to catch a quick pass from quarterback Sam Hartman and used his wheels and balance to stay in bounds for the long touchdown run.
The sophomore tight end then recorded a 12-yard reception early in the fourth quarter before shutting the door on the Wolfpack with a 35-yard touchdown catch with just 4:35 remaining in the game. While NC State was quick to respond with a touchdown themselves, NC State ran out the clock on their next possession for the 45-24 victory.
Here’s a look at Staes’ highlights from the game.
Note: The following videos will automatically begin at the start of each section after hitting play.
Staes’ Two-Reception Touchdown Drive
Staes’ 35-yard Touchdown Reception To Seal the Game
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Holden Staes went on to finish the 2023 season with 176 yards and four touchdowns on 15 receptions. Staes’ game against Notre Dame was the highlight of his season with a career-high in receptions, yards, and touchdowns.
We’ll see if the former Notre Dame-turned-Tennessee tight end can reproduce similar production when the Vols square off with the Wolfpack this Saturday.
Seeking a change following the 2023 season, Staes entered the transfer portal and emerged a Tennessee Volunteer. Staes now firmly sits in a three-man rotation for the Vols’ tight-end position with redshirt freshman Ethan Davis and Alabama transfer Miles Kitselman, all three of whom the Vols’ coaching staff are high on entering the season.
Staes ended his first game with Tennessee with two receptions for 13 yards.
While Staes’ last appearance against the Wolfpack did take place on NC State’s home turf, the Tennessee tight end avoids having to return to Raleigh for a true road game – just barely.
No. 14 Tennessee (1-0) and No. 24 NC State (1-0) will clash in a neutral site matchup in Charlotte, North Carolina’s Bank of America Stadium this Saturday night at 7:30 p.m. ET. Rocky Top Insider will have live coverage of the game from Charlotte on Saturday night.
