Middle Tennesee State University Athletics
On Senior Day, Holden Willis embodied the “journey” for the 2024 Senior Class
11/24/2024 4:29:00 PM | Football
The standout tight end is the model for what a modern college athlete should be.
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — Holden Willis was the last player at the press conference podium on Saturday, but the senior tight end wasn't there to answer the myriad on-the-field questions popped up after Middle Tennessee football's 36-21 loss to New Mexico State.
He got a few questions on football, like why the offense went under center more to run the ball more effectively, on how that philosophy opened him up on his touchdown catch in his final home game as a Blue Raider.
But Holden Willis was mostly at the podium to give thanks to a program that gave him a fresh start.
"I've loved it," Willis said of being a part of the Middle Tennessee program. "Coming from the place that I was at and coming here was kind of like a new beginning. (I) really got the chance to kind of restart. Kind of felt like a freshman going in again, new slate and everything."
MTSU fans know Willis as maybe the most reliable target for Nicholas Vattiato these past two seasons in the passing game. The sometimes tight end, sometimes slot receiver, sometimes outside receiver has been used in a lot of creative ways in his time in Murfreesboro, racking up 1,445 yards on 93 catches, including eight touchdown receptions, in his two seasons at MTSU after transferring from South Florida.
A Greenback, Tenn. native, Willis was a star for the Greenback school at the 1-A level, setting a state record his senior season with 28 touchdown receptions while totaling 73 catches for 1,704 yards in 2019. Coming back closer to home was a big reason he chose MTSU after entering the transfer portal following the 2022 season.
"Being all the way down in Tampa, it was kind of hard to get family out there," Willis said. "Of course, going out there as a freshman, everybody is new. You don't really know anybody out there... Coming here, it was a lot easier. Being able to have (my family) close, they've been here almost every single game, makes me go on the field feeling like I have stuff to play for."
As much as Willis excelled on the field in his time as a Blue Raider, he spoke more about his connections made off the field, between him and his teammates, between him and two coaching staffs amid two seasons that haven't gone the way anyone inside the program wanted, when reflecting back on his time as a Blue Raider.
"Last year, I made a lot of friends," Willis said. "Feel really close with a lot of the guys here. And then obviously this year, a new staff and stuff like that kind of changed our offense a little bit, gives us a little bit more tight end play in there, not as much split out. Which I've enjoyed that too."
It can be very easy to be cynical about the state of college athletics these days. With all the discussion of NIL, the transfer portal, lawsuit settlements and potential antitrust legislation, so much of what attracts so many to college athletics — the sense of community, the pride in one's school, helping young men and women better their station in life with a quality education and just the ability to forge connections over years with friends new and old — can seem farther away than ever.
But if you look closely, you can still find all of those virtues in today's student athletes, in this year's senior football players. MTSU's plethora of seniors spent wildly varying amounts of time in their college careers as Blue Raiders. Holden Willis spent just two years in Murfreesboro, but he'll leave MTSU with a degree, with lifelong friends, with tape that just might get him to the next level.
There were players honored on Saturday who played just one year in Floyd Stadium, like Ellis Adams. There were those, like Willis, who joined midway through their time in college football. One of those men was Julius Pierce, who proposed to his girlfriend during the ceremony (she said yes!). And yes, there were those like Zeke Rankin, who have never been anything but a Blue Raider during their playing career.
"They've had to go through a lot," head coach Derek Mason said of the senior class. "New coach, who's in their tail almost every day. It's hard gravitating toward the new, but I think these guys have worked hard to try to lay some foundational pieces that I think will lead this football team forward."
This season hasn't gone the way any of those seniors wanted, the way anyone with the team wanted. Mason understands that ultimately, the program will be judged on its results. And the Blue Raiders made too many mistakes against the Aggies to come out with a good one on Senior Day.
"When you're growing, when seniors are having to grow with young guys and grow themselves, because it's their first time through it?" Mason said. "It's a journey sometimes that has peaks and valleys. And what you try to get them to do is try to enjoy the journey."
It's clear that many of those Blue Raider seniors have gotten just as much as they've given on that journey. And they have one more shot to end it on a better note next week.
"We've got one more game, these guys have got one more chance to enjoy this journey," Mason said.
He got a few questions on football, like why the offense went under center more to run the ball more effectively, on how that philosophy opened him up on his touchdown catch in his final home game as a Blue Raider.
But Holden Willis was mostly at the podium to give thanks to a program that gave him a fresh start.
"I've loved it," Willis said of being a part of the Middle Tennessee program. "Coming from the place that I was at and coming here was kind of like a new beginning. (I) really got the chance to kind of restart. Kind of felt like a freshman going in again, new slate and everything."
MTSU fans know Willis as maybe the most reliable target for Nicholas Vattiato these past two seasons in the passing game. The sometimes tight end, sometimes slot receiver, sometimes outside receiver has been used in a lot of creative ways in his time in Murfreesboro, racking up 1,445 yards on 93 catches, including eight touchdown receptions, in his two seasons at MTSU after transferring from South Florida.
A Greenback, Tenn. native, Willis was a star for the Greenback school at the 1-A level, setting a state record his senior season with 28 touchdown receptions while totaling 73 catches for 1,704 yards in 2019. Coming back closer to home was a big reason he chose MTSU after entering the transfer portal following the 2022 season.
"Being all the way down in Tampa, it was kind of hard to get family out there," Willis said. "Of course, going out there as a freshman, everybody is new. You don't really know anybody out there... Coming here, it was a lot easier. Being able to have (my family) close, they've been here almost every single game, makes me go on the field feeling like I have stuff to play for."
As much as Willis excelled on the field in his time as a Blue Raider, he spoke more about his connections made off the field, between him and his teammates, between him and two coaching staffs amid two seasons that haven't gone the way anyone inside the program wanted, when reflecting back on his time as a Blue Raider.
"Last year, I made a lot of friends," Willis said. "Feel really close with a lot of the guys here. And then obviously this year, a new staff and stuff like that kind of changed our offense a little bit, gives us a little bit more tight end play in there, not as much split out. Which I've enjoyed that too."
It can be very easy to be cynical about the state of college athletics these days. With all the discussion of NIL, the transfer portal, lawsuit settlements and potential antitrust legislation, so much of what attracts so many to college athletics — the sense of community, the pride in one's school, helping young men and women better their station in life with a quality education and just the ability to forge connections over years with friends new and old — can seem farther away than ever.
But if you look closely, you can still find all of those virtues in today's student athletes, in this year's senior football players. MTSU's plethora of seniors spent wildly varying amounts of time in their college careers as Blue Raiders. Holden Willis spent just two years in Murfreesboro, but he'll leave MTSU with a degree, with lifelong friends, with tape that just might get him to the next level.
There were players honored on Saturday who played just one year in Floyd Stadium, like Ellis Adams. There were those, like Willis, who joined midway through their time in college football. One of those men was Julius Pierce, who proposed to his girlfriend during the ceremony (she said yes!). And yes, there were those like Zeke Rankin, who have never been anything but a Blue Raider during their playing career.
"They've had to go through a lot," head coach Derek Mason said of the senior class. "New coach, who's in their tail almost every day. It's hard gravitating toward the new, but I think these guys have worked hard to try to lay some foundational pieces that I think will lead this football team forward."
This season hasn't gone the way any of those seniors wanted, the way anyone with the team wanted. Mason understands that ultimately, the program will be judged on its results. And the Blue Raiders made too many mistakes against the Aggies to come out with a good one on Senior Day.
"When you're growing, when seniors are having to grow with young guys and grow themselves, because it's their first time through it?" Mason said. "It's a journey sometimes that has peaks and valleys. And what you try to get them to do is try to enjoy the journey."
It's clear that many of those Blue Raider seniors have gotten just as much as they've given on that journey. And they have one more shot to end it on a better note next week.
"We've got one more game, these guys have got one more chance to enjoy this journey," Mason said.
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