Indiana is trying to bring a former Tennessee Vol back to the program in 2026 after ruling makes class of 2022 players eligible
A former Tennessee Volunteers player could be back in action for a fifth season in 2026.
A former Tennessee Vols player who thought his college football career was over could be back on the field this fall.
And it’s all because of a recent court ruling that makes Class of 2022 athletes who had exhausted their four seasons of eligibility eligible to compete in 2026.
(Note: The NCAA is expected to appeal the ruling)
According to On3’s Pete Nakos, the Indiana Hoosiers are potentially looking to bring tight end Holden Staes back for the 2026 season.
Staes, who spent the first two seasons of his career at Notre Dame, played for Tennessee in 2024 before transferring to Indiana in 2025.
The Georgia native won a national championship with Indiana last season (Staes didn’t record any stats, but he did play in the national championship game against the Miami Hurricanes).
Staes caught seven passes for 62 yards and two touchdowns for the Hoosiers in 2025.
During his lone season at Tennessee, Staes caught 15 passes for 131 yards and one touchdown.
Staes would be eligible to return to Indiana because he didn’t sign with an NFL team after going undrafted in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Indiana has a young tight end room with three redshirt freshmen, so bringing Staes back would be an important experience boost for the Hoosiers.
