University of Tennessee Athletics
Tight End Rotation Taking Shape For Tennessee This Spring
April 06, 2024 | Football
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – A revamped tight end room featuring two major transfers and one returning redshirt freshman is taking shape for the Tennessee football team, which completed its 10th practice of the spring on Saturday afternoon at Haslam Field.
The Volunteers went full pads to conclude the third week of spring ball. Second-year tight ends coach Alec Abeln addressed members of the media following the practice along with transfers Holden Staes (Notre Dame) and Miles Kitselman (Alabama).
Abeln is seeking to replace departing seniors Jacob Warren and McCallan Castles, who combined for 38 catches for 474 yards and nine touchdowns in 2023.
"I don't want to crown them too early, but they're doing a really good job," Abeln said. "McCallan (Castles) was probably on the curve that most guys are on where it's a spring of trying to learn how to operate. There's a lot going on, and it's happening very fast. Without getting their egos too inflated, the two new guys (Holden Staes and Miles Kitselman) have come in are really ahead of schedule in terms of where I thought they would be in the ability to line up, process and play. We probably put more on their plates because of their ability to learn so fast."
Staes played two seasons with the Irish before transferring to Knoxville. He caught 15 passes for 176 yards and four touchdowns as a sophomore last fall. Kitselman played in 19 games for the Crimson Tide after spending the 2021 season at Hutchinson Community College.
The Vols welcome back redshirt freshman Ethan Davis, who possesses the size and athleticism to make a major impact. Davis bulked up significantly and has a better grasp of the offense in his second season.
"This spring, he's done such a great job," Abeln said of Davis. "One, getting his body right. I think he was 242 last week, and he's so comfortable now with where to be and what to do. There's still a detail in everything that he has to continue to clean up, but I've told him this, he's going to be an elite player in the core. He has so much twitch, pop. He's not scared of anything."
The fourth and final week of the spring includes practices on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday before next Saturday's 1 p.m. Orange & White Game in a limited capacity Neyland Stadium. The Vol Village Music Festival and spring game watch party outside the stadium is free admission.
Tennessee TE Coach Alec Abeln
On what he's seen so far during the spring practices…
"It's been really good. Honestly, a lot of new faces, a couple of guys back, but the new guys have done such a good job as far as learning the system, operating, playing free and fast, made a bunch of plays. I've been really pleased with how they've worked and what they've done so far."
On what he took from his first season as the tight ends coach…
"In coaching in particular, for me this offseason, there was such an emphasis in growing in the route and wanting to get better in that area. Obviously, everybody knows I've been an O-line guy but really wanting to be elite in that area. That's been a huge focus for me. We have really talented guys that can put a bunch of that stuff on the field. This offseason obviously with the December calendar it's a little bit different than it used to be. That was a crazy month, but we've got a great group of guys after it."
On what he's seen from Miles Kitselman that's impressed him so far…
"Yeah, I'm really excited about Miles. All that guy does is work. We knew he'd stick his face on people. We knew he'd be physical. I think what he's done in space has been not necessarily a surprise but really pleasant. He's done a really good job for us and just works his butt off every day. Having two guys come in that are both everything you want has been really cool."
On if he's seen in practice what he saw on film from Holden Staes…
"Yeah, I think so. On the tape, you saw a guy that made a bunch of plays. A guy that played really fast, has elite hands, understands space. I think as we do a little bit different stuff in the scheme side of it, both run and pass, he's learning and adjusting to that. But he's done a great job as far as just the raw speed, the hands, ability to make plays in space. He's been everything we saw on tape."
On the areas of progression for Ethan Davis…
"We talked about it a lot last year, Ethan would flash all the time, but he was 225 (pounds). In this league, doing some of the things we ask guys to do, that's tough. At the same time, learning the new system, adjusting to the speed of the game at this level. This spring, he's done such a great job. One, getting his body right. I think he was 242 last week, and he's so comfortable now with where to be, what to do. There's still a detail in everything that he has to continue to clean up, but I've told him this, he's going to be an elite player in the core. He has so much twitch, pop. He's not scared of anything. As he continues to get better with the fundamentals of it, he's going to be really, really good."
On how comfortable he is with the current tight end group in terms of versatility…
"Really comfortable. We'll see if anybody can carry the ball here the way Princeton (Fant) did. As far as what kids put on our plate, being out in space and being in the box, being in the pro, running some really deep routes. There's a lot that's asked of those guys, and the challenge is finding guys that can do all of that where you're not having to call certain things when certain guys are in. I feel like we have that in our room."
On who is emerging as a leader in the position room…
"For the transfers coming in, there's a maturity level of they've been in rooms and they've been at places where they know what it kind of looks like. It's always a little bit awkward for you when you step into a place where you want to lead and you want to be a veteran voice but you're also gaining the respect of your teammates. I can't give enough credit to Titus Rohrer and Charlie Browder for the role that they've had in their room when it comes to bringing those guys along. They've shown the guys the way of how we do things a little bit differently around here. It's different than last year where you had two guys that were clearly old heads and then a bunch of young guys. I hope everybody in my room can be a leader, not just by how they act but by how they bring each other up."
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On how close they are to having three players that can play meaningful snaps at the tight end position…
"They all have stuff to improve and work on, but I feel like we are headed in the right direction which is very exciting."
On where the group is at with their development at this point in spring ball…
"I don't want to crown them too early, but they're doing a really good job. McCallan (Castles) was probably on the curve that most guys are on where it's a spring of trying to learn how to operate. There's a lot going on, and it's happening very fast. Without getting their egos too inflated, the two new guys (Holden Staes and Miles Kitselman) that have come in are really ahead of schedule in terms of where I thought they would be in the ability to line up, process and play. We probably put more on their plates because of their ability to learn so fast."
On Nico Iamaleava's presence with the tight ends…
"He's stepped up in a big way. The guys love Nico. They trust Nico, and he's different in terms of how he approaches the guys. Just the conversations they have. He's been awesome with our group."
On Miles Kitselman's pass-catching ability…
"I have to give credit to Kody Cook. He was a guy who was with us last year, and he coached Miles at Hutchinson Community College. He was telling me that on tape this is kind of what we could see, and there wasn't a lot of evidence of the other piece of that equation. He stood on the table and said that he coached the guy for two years and knew what he could do. Kody is an elite receivers coach. With that skill set, you can tell he's been coached by Kody, because there's a lot of stuff that's showing up on the tape that's really good."
Tennessee Senior Tight End Miles Kitselman
On the reasons why he came to Tennessee…
"Whenever I took my visit, Coach Heupel, Coach Halzle, Coach Abeln, I just got that family feeling and how I was going to be treated here and taken care of. Everybody, o-line, wide receiver coach, just everyone is so inviting and so genuine. I'd say that's the best word to put is just genuine. I feel like it was a great fit for me, and the coaches were just amazing."
On how he would describe Coach Abeln…
"Coach Abeln obviously is a wonderful coach and he's a great coach, super smart when it comes to run fits, he knows it like the back of his hand, when it comes to the pass, he's great. But I think what's more important, especially as a player, is I view Coach Abeln not only as a coach but more as a mentor and a father figure. We're here, us athletes are here all the time, 24/7, that relationship with your position coach is everything. Coach Abeln is not only a great coach in terms of x's and o's, but whenever I can look up to him and reach out to him whenever I'm struggling mentally or physically or whatever it is, and he can be there as a father figure to me. That's everything. Coach Abeln is amazing."
On the most challenging part of the transition to a fast-paced offense…
"I would say how wide we play. Obviously, everybody knows that, how wide and how fast we play. Just getting into that transition to that feel, but it's great. The coaches are great bringing me in and just helping me out with everything. I think now, like halfway through spring ball I have a really good feel for it. So, I'm just excited to see what the fall brings."
Tennessee Junior Tight End Holden Staes
On how Tennessee's offense is different in scheme…
"Some big differences are coming from Notre Dame. There was a lot of 12 personnel, a lot of huddling and a slower-pace offense for sure. We ran the ball a lot. At Tennessee, we run the ball a lot as well, but it's a different scheme for sure. Coming to Tennessee, it's a tempo offense that plays in space a lot more with wide splits. I've been adapting well, putting my head down and working on trying to figure everything out. Taking what I learn in the meeting room with Coach (Alec) Abeln to the field and transitioning that way. So far it's been pretty good. There have been ups and downs, but that's expected with the transition, but I think I've been handling it well so far."
On him transitioning into the offense at Tennessee…
"I would say I'm progressing well. Each day I've tried to improve on something, whether that's lining up faster, processing the signals faster or knowing my read immediately when the ball gets snapped quickly. Coming from Notre Dame, we would huddle and have time to diagnose the defense before the ball gets snapped. Here, we get the signal and the play is happening immediately. Overall, I think I've been progressing well. Through the end of spring ball, I just want to keep my head down, get better day in and day out and not look too far ahead. Using these last few practices, I just want to finish the right way and go into the summer. Overall, I'm feeling comfortable."
On how much he researched Tennessee before coming here…
"I did a lot of research on Coach (Josh) Heupel, Coach (Joey) Halzle and Coach (Alec) Abeln. They were a big part of my decision. They showcased the tight end and what they can do for this offense. A big piece in their recruitment to me was having a guy that can eat up space with the splits that we play in, getting in those windows, getting the ball in my hands and then using all of that grass to make plays. I think that was something that was really intriguing to me and one of the reasons that led to me coming here. I've been getting comfortable in the offense, finding my rhythm through it and going to make plays when fall comes."
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The Volunteers went full pads to conclude the third week of spring ball. Second-year tight ends coach Alec Abeln addressed members of the media following the practice along with transfers Holden Staes (Notre Dame) and Miles Kitselman (Alabama).
Abeln is seeking to replace departing seniors Jacob Warren and McCallan Castles, who combined for 38 catches for 474 yards and nine touchdowns in 2023.
"I don't want to crown them too early, but they're doing a really good job," Abeln said. "McCallan (Castles) was probably on the curve that most guys are on where it's a spring of trying to learn how to operate. There's a lot going on, and it's happening very fast. Without getting their egos too inflated, the two new guys (Holden Staes and Miles Kitselman) have come in are really ahead of schedule in terms of where I thought they would be in the ability to line up, process and play. We probably put more on their plates because of their ability to learn so fast."
Staes played two seasons with the Irish before transferring to Knoxville. He caught 15 passes for 176 yards and four touchdowns as a sophomore last fall. Kitselman played in 19 games for the Crimson Tide after spending the 2021 season at Hutchinson Community College.
The Vols welcome back redshirt freshman Ethan Davis, who possesses the size and athleticism to make a major impact. Davis bulked up significantly and has a better grasp of the offense in his second season.
"This spring, he's done such a great job," Abeln said of Davis. "One, getting his body right. I think he was 242 last week, and he's so comfortable now with where to be and what to do. There's still a detail in everything that he has to continue to clean up, but I've told him this, he's going to be an elite player in the core. He has so much twitch, pop. He's not scared of anything."
The fourth and final week of the spring includes practices on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday before next Saturday's 1 p.m. Orange & White Game in a limited capacity Neyland Stadium. The Vol Village Music Festival and spring game watch party outside the stadium is free admission.
Tennessee TE Coach Alec Abeln
On what he's seen so far during the spring practices…
"It's been really good. Honestly, a lot of new faces, a couple of guys back, but the new guys have done such a good job as far as learning the system, operating, playing free and fast, made a bunch of plays. I've been really pleased with how they've worked and what they've done so far."
On what he took from his first season as the tight ends coach…
"In coaching in particular, for me this offseason, there was such an emphasis in growing in the route and wanting to get better in that area. Obviously, everybody knows I've been an O-line guy but really wanting to be elite in that area. That's been a huge focus for me. We have really talented guys that can put a bunch of that stuff on the field. This offseason obviously with the December calendar it's a little bit different than it used to be. That was a crazy month, but we've got a great group of guys after it."
On what he's seen from Miles Kitselman that's impressed him so far…
"Yeah, I'm really excited about Miles. All that guy does is work. We knew he'd stick his face on people. We knew he'd be physical. I think what he's done in space has been not necessarily a surprise but really pleasant. He's done a really good job for us and just works his butt off every day. Having two guys come in that are both everything you want has been really cool."
On if he's seen in practice what he saw on film from Holden Staes…
"Yeah, I think so. On the tape, you saw a guy that made a bunch of plays. A guy that played really fast, has elite hands, understands space. I think as we do a little bit different stuff in the scheme side of it, both run and pass, he's learning and adjusting to that. But he's done a great job as far as just the raw speed, the hands, ability to make plays in space. He's been everything we saw on tape."
On the areas of progression for Ethan Davis…
"We talked about it a lot last year, Ethan would flash all the time, but he was 225 (pounds). In this league, doing some of the things we ask guys to do, that's tough. At the same time, learning the new system, adjusting to the speed of the game at this level. This spring, he's done such a great job. One, getting his body right. I think he was 242 last week, and he's so comfortable now with where to be, what to do. There's still a detail in everything that he has to continue to clean up, but I've told him this, he's going to be an elite player in the core. He has so much twitch, pop. He's not scared of anything. As he continues to get better with the fundamentals of it, he's going to be really, really good."
On how comfortable he is with the current tight end group in terms of versatility…
"Really comfortable. We'll see if anybody can carry the ball here the way Princeton (Fant) did. As far as what kids put on our plate, being out in space and being in the box, being in the pro, running some really deep routes. There's a lot that's asked of those guys, and the challenge is finding guys that can do all of that where you're not having to call certain things when certain guys are in. I feel like we have that in our room."
On who is emerging as a leader in the position room…
"For the transfers coming in, there's a maturity level of they've been in rooms and they've been at places where they know what it kind of looks like. It's always a little bit awkward for you when you step into a place where you want to lead and you want to be a veteran voice but you're also gaining the respect of your teammates. I can't give enough credit to Titus Rohrer and Charlie Browder for the role that they've had in their room when it comes to bringing those guys along. They've shown the guys the way of how we do things a little bit differently around here. It's different than last year where you had two guys that were clearly old heads and then a bunch of young guys. I hope everybody in my room can be a leader, not just by how they act but by how they bring each other up."
Â
On how close they are to having three players that can play meaningful snaps at the tight end position…
"They all have stuff to improve and work on, but I feel like we are headed in the right direction which is very exciting."
On where the group is at with their development at this point in spring ball…
"I don't want to crown them too early, but they're doing a really good job. McCallan (Castles) was probably on the curve that most guys are on where it's a spring of trying to learn how to operate. There's a lot going on, and it's happening very fast. Without getting their egos too inflated, the two new guys (Holden Staes and Miles Kitselman) that have come in are really ahead of schedule in terms of where I thought they would be in the ability to line up, process and play. We probably put more on their plates because of their ability to learn so fast."
On Nico Iamaleava's presence with the tight ends…
"He's stepped up in a big way. The guys love Nico. They trust Nico, and he's different in terms of how he approaches the guys. Just the conversations they have. He's been awesome with our group."
On Miles Kitselman's pass-catching ability…
"I have to give credit to Kody Cook. He was a guy who was with us last year, and he coached Miles at Hutchinson Community College. He was telling me that on tape this is kind of what we could see, and there wasn't a lot of evidence of the other piece of that equation. He stood on the table and said that he coached the guy for two years and knew what he could do. Kody is an elite receivers coach. With that skill set, you can tell he's been coached by Kody, because there's a lot of stuff that's showing up on the tape that's really good."
Tennessee Senior Tight End Miles Kitselman
On the reasons why he came to Tennessee…
"Whenever I took my visit, Coach Heupel, Coach Halzle, Coach Abeln, I just got that family feeling and how I was going to be treated here and taken care of. Everybody, o-line, wide receiver coach, just everyone is so inviting and so genuine. I'd say that's the best word to put is just genuine. I feel like it was a great fit for me, and the coaches were just amazing."
On how he would describe Coach Abeln…
"Coach Abeln obviously is a wonderful coach and he's a great coach, super smart when it comes to run fits, he knows it like the back of his hand, when it comes to the pass, he's great. But I think what's more important, especially as a player, is I view Coach Abeln not only as a coach but more as a mentor and a father figure. We're here, us athletes are here all the time, 24/7, that relationship with your position coach is everything. Coach Abeln is not only a great coach in terms of x's and o's, but whenever I can look up to him and reach out to him whenever I'm struggling mentally or physically or whatever it is, and he can be there as a father figure to me. That's everything. Coach Abeln is amazing."
On the most challenging part of the transition to a fast-paced offense…
"I would say how wide we play. Obviously, everybody knows that, how wide and how fast we play. Just getting into that transition to that feel, but it's great. The coaches are great bringing me in and just helping me out with everything. I think now, like halfway through spring ball I have a really good feel for it. So, I'm just excited to see what the fall brings."
Tennessee Junior Tight End Holden Staes
On how Tennessee's offense is different in scheme…
"Some big differences are coming from Notre Dame. There was a lot of 12 personnel, a lot of huddling and a slower-pace offense for sure. We ran the ball a lot. At Tennessee, we run the ball a lot as well, but it's a different scheme for sure. Coming to Tennessee, it's a tempo offense that plays in space a lot more with wide splits. I've been adapting well, putting my head down and working on trying to figure everything out. Taking what I learn in the meeting room with Coach (Alec) Abeln to the field and transitioning that way. So far it's been pretty good. There have been ups and downs, but that's expected with the transition, but I think I've been handling it well so far."
On him transitioning into the offense at Tennessee…
"I would say I'm progressing well. Each day I've tried to improve on something, whether that's lining up faster, processing the signals faster or knowing my read immediately when the ball gets snapped quickly. Coming from Notre Dame, we would huddle and have time to diagnose the defense before the ball gets snapped. Here, we get the signal and the play is happening immediately. Overall, I think I've been progressing well. Through the end of spring ball, I just want to keep my head down, get better day in and day out and not look too far ahead. Using these last few practices, I just want to finish the right way and go into the summer. Overall, I'm feeling comfortable."
On how much he researched Tennessee before coming here…
"I did a lot of research on Coach (Josh) Heupel, Coach (Joey) Halzle and Coach (Alec) Abeln. They were a big part of my decision. They showcased the tight end and what they can do for this offense. A big piece in their recruitment to me was having a guy that can eat up space with the splits that we play in, getting in those windows, getting the ball in my hands and then using all of that grass to make plays. I think that was something that was really intriguing to me and one of the reasons that led to me coming here. I've been getting comfortable in the offense, finding my rhythm through it and going to make plays when fall comes."
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