NFL scouts love a good "tweener" story. You know the type—the guy who’s too fast for linebackers but a nightmare for nickels because of his frame. Right now, that conversation starts and ends with Holden Willis. If you haven't been watching Middle Tennessee State football closely, you’ve basically missed one of the most intriguing transitions in the Group of Five.
Willis is a 6-foot-4, 212-pound weapon who officially moved from wide receiver to tight end, but honestly, labels don't really do him justice. He’s a "big slot" in the purest sense. Last year, he was busy torching Conference USA defenses to the tune of 871 yards and six touchdowns. He didn't just rack up stats against the bottom-feeders either; he was the guy the Blue Raiders leaned on when the lights were brightest.
The Transition That Changed Everything
Most guys struggle when you ask them to put their hand in the dirt. Willis? He just kept catching everything thrown his way. Coming out of Greenback High School in Tennessee, he was a legend—literally. He set a state record with 28 touchdown catches in a single season. Think about that for a second. That's nearly two touchdowns a game, every single week, for an entire season.
But his path to the Holden Willis NFL draft conversation wasn't a straight line. He started at South Florida, where things were, let's say, quiet. He had 112 yards across three seasons. Most guys would’ve checked out. Instead, he hit the portal, came back home to Tennessee, and exploded.
At MTSU, the coaching staff realized they had a mismatch nightmare. They started moving him around the formation like a chess piece. In 2024, he led the team in receiving yards and was second in "explosive plays." Scouts are noticing that he doesn't move like a traditional tight end. He has that receiver fluidity, but he's built like a guy who can survive the middle of the field.
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Why NFL Scouts Are High on the Holden Willis NFL Draft Stock
There is a specific archetype in the modern NFL: the F-Tight End. Think Mike Gesicki or a lighter version of Travis Kelce. Teams aren't looking for Willis to move 300-pound defensive ends in the run game. They want him to exploit the seam.
What the Tape Shows
- Ball Skills: He has "vacuum" hands. If it's in the radius, it’s his. His high school background as a record-breaking receiver shows up every time he has to high-point a ball.
- Versatility: He played outside, in the slot, and tight to the line. NFL offensive coordinators like Ben Johnson or Mike McDaniel would have a field day with a guy who can be a different player every snap.
- Production: 53 catches for 871 yards in 2024 is serious production for a tight end, especially one who averages 16.4 yards per catch. That's not just "underneath" stuff; that's vertical threat territory.
There’s a bit of a divide on his speed. Some unofficial clocks have him in the 4.7 range for the 40-yard dash. That’s not "blazing," but for a 6-foot-4 frame, it’s plenty. It’s "play speed" vs. "track speed." On Saturdays, he consistently pulls away from C-USA safeties.
The Small School Stigma vs. Reality
People always ask: "Can he do it against the big boys?"
Well, look at the 2024 tape. He went for 93 yards against Ole Miss. He put up 60 and a touchdown against Duke. He isn't just a "small school" hero; he’s a football player who happens to play at a smaller school. Scouts from the Senior Bowl and East-West Shrine Bowl have had him on their radars for over a year now. He’s already earned Group of Five All-American honors.
The reality is that the Holden Willis NFL draft buzz is built on consistency. He isn't a one-hit-wonder. He backed up a 697-yard junior season with an even better senior campaign. He’s reliable. In an era where "potential" usually trumps "production," Willis offers both. He has the frame to add another 10-15 pounds of muscle without losing his twitch, which is exactly what a pro strength program will do to him the moment he signs a contract.
What Most People Get Wrong
The biggest misconception is that he’s "too small" to be a tight end. Look at the league right now. The days of the 270-pound blocking tight end being the only way to play are over. Look at a guy like Dalton Kincaid. The league is moving toward pass-catchers who happen to be big. Willis fits that mold perfectly.
Is he going to be a Round 1 pick? Probably not. The 2026 class is deep, and the "small school" tag usually pushes guys into the middle rounds. But he’s exactly the kind of player who goes in the 4th round and ends up starting for a decade. He’s a worker. He’s a local kid who stayed humble and just produced.
Key Stats at a Glance
- College Career: 107 receptions, 1,680 yards, 12 touchdowns.
- MTSU Impact: 99 of those catches and 11 of those TDs came in just two years after transferring.
- Efficiency: 15.7 yards per catch career average.
What's Next for Willis?
The path from Murfreesboro to the pros goes through the pre-draft circuit. The NFL Combine will be massive for him. If he can crack a 4.65 or better, his stock will skyrocket. Teams are desperate for red-zone targets who can actually run routes, and Willis is exactly that.
If you're an NFL fan, keep an eye on teams like the Bengals, Chargers, or even the Titans. Staying in-state would be a storybook ending for a kid from Greenback who became a legend in Middle Tennessee.
Keep an eye on his Pro Day numbers. Specifically, watch his short-shuttle and 3-cone times. Those will tell you more about his NFL potential than a straight-line 40 ever could. If those agility numbers are elite, he won't be on the board for long.
Watch the Senior Bowl invites closely. If Willis gets the call to Mobile, it's a signal that the league views him as a legitimate draftable prospect with high-end potential. From there, it's all about how he handles the physical press coverage from Power 4 cornerbacks. Given his track record, he'll likely handle it just fine.