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Impact The tight end finished off the season with his best game of the campaign. That has left him with 53 catches for 871 yards and six touchdowns on the year, big numbers for his position.
DECEMBER 1 • ROTOWIRE
HOLDEN WILLIS #83 - TIGHT END - MIDDLE TENNESSEE BLUE RAIDERS
871 YDS •
53 REC •
6 TD
871 YDS
53 REC
6 TD
Ends season with big game Willis caught six passes for 123 yards and two touchdowns against FIU on Saturday.
Finds the end zone Willis caught three passes for 67 yards and a touchdown versus NMSU on Saturday.
Impact Willis has now eked past his 46 catches and 697 yards from last season, though he needs another touchdown to match his five from 2023. Those are impressive numbers for a tight end, though Willis is a tight end by positional designation only, with a role much more akin to a slot receiver.
NOVEMBER 23 • ROTOWIRE
Nets 81 yards Willis caught five passes for 81 yards against Liberty on Saturday.
Impact Willis wasn't able to give it a go last week with an unknown injury issue, but he returned and it was business as usual in this one. With just NMSU and FIU remaining on the schedule, it seems likely Willis will cross 50 catches and 700 yards this season, both fine numbers for a tight end.
NOVEMBER 9 • ROTOWIRE
Good to go Saturday Willis will be active for Saturday's game versus Liberty, Sam Doughton of Middle Tennessee Athletics reports.
Impact Willis missed last week's game versus UTEP with an undisclosed injury, but he will be back for Saturday's contest. He has 39 receptions (on 57 targets) for 600 yards and three touchdowns this season.
NOVEMBER 9 • ROTOWIRE
Out for UTEP game Willis (undisclosed) was out for Middle Tennessee State's 20-13 win Saturday at UTEP, Cecil Joyce of USA Today reports.
Impact Middle Tennessee State not being able to use Willis at UTEP benefited Evan Poticher the most. The freshman logged three receptions and 23 yards, his updated bests of any FBS game. Currently, MTSU's next matchup is scheduled for Nov. 9 against Liberty.
NOVEMBER 2 • ROTOWIRE
Not starting Saturday Willis (undisclosed) is not starting Saturday's game at UTEP, Conner Smith of The Murfreesboro Post reports.
Impact Willis is not in the Blue Raiders' starting lineup, a very bad sign for his availability Saturday. If he is indeed unable to go, Evan Poticher and Taharin Sudderth will step up in his place.
NOVEMBER 2 • ROTOWIRE
Not listed on depth chart Willis (undisclosed) was not listed on Wednesday's depth chart ahead of Saturday's game at UTEP, Conner Smith of The Murfreesboro Post reports.
Impact Willis suffered an injury during the Blue Raiders last game and that caused him to not be listed on the team's depth chart Wednesday. He still has a chance to play, but that certainly does not bode well for his chances.
NOVEMBER 2 • ROTOWIRE
Recovering from injury Willis is recovering from an undisclosed injury, Conner Smith of The Murfreesboro Post reports.
Impact Willis suffered his undisclosed injury during Middle Tennessee State's game Saturday at Jacksonville State. It was a rough way to conclude his best outing of 2024 thus far, featuring 109 receiving yards and another touchdown. For now, Willis' injury status is questionable as the Blue Raiders prepare for their game Saturday at UTEP.
OCTOBER 28 • ROTOWIRE
100 yards and a TD Willis caught six passes for 109 yards and a touchdown against JSU on Wednesday.
Impact This is Willis' first game with over 100 yards this season, but his third with over 90. He's a tight end with 39 catches for 600 yards through eight games, making him one of the most-prolific players at that position.
OCTOBER 24 • ROTOWIRE
Nets 92 yards Willis caught eight passes for 92 yards Tuesday versus KSU.
Impact Nicholas Vattiato has not been good at quarterback, but he loves to get the ball to his tight end, and that is to Willis' benefit. He has 33 catches for 491 yards and two touchdowns through seven contests. Tight ends who consistently have over 60 receiving yards in a game are rare, making Willis stand out.
OCTOBER 16 • ROTOWIRE
Catches TD Willis caught five passes for 79 yards and a touchdown against La Tech on Thursday.
Impact Last year, Willis stood out for the tight end position with 46 catches for 697 yards and five touchdowns. Well, though six games this season he has 25 catches for 399 yards and two touchdowns, so it has been more of the same.
OCTOBER 10 • ROTOWIRE
Catches five passes Willis caught five passes for 62 yards versus Memphis on Saturday.
Impact Willis remains heavily involved for a modern tight end (in part because his actual role in the offense does not reflect a traditional tight end in any fashion). He has 21 catches for 321 yards through five games, and has only been held under 60 yards once.
SEPTEMBER 29 • ROTOWIRE
Finds end zone Willis caught three passes for 60 yards and a score Saturday versus Duke.
Impact All that was missing from the tight end was a touchdown. Last year Willis turned heads by coming out of nowhere to have 46 catches for 697 yards and five touchdowns. He's now over 250 yards through four games this season, but this is his first time finding the end zone.
SEPTEMBER 21 • ROTOWIRE
Tallies 73 yards Willis caught four passes for 73 yards Saturday versus WKU.
Impact Willis, who is a tight end on the depth chart but plays more like a slot receiver, transferred to MTSU from South Florida last year and had 46 catches for 697 yards and five scores. He has 13 catches for 199 yards through three games. That's good for a tight end, but a touchdown or two would be nice.
SEPTEMBER 14 • ROTOWIRE
Nets 93 yards Willis caught six passes for 93 yards against Ole Miss on Saturday.
Impact Last season, Willis emerged with 46 catches for 697 yard and five touchdowns. New head coach Derek Mason moved him to backup tight end to start the 2024 season, though. It now seems like Mason was just trying to make a point or something of that ilk. Willis led MTSU in catches and yards and "starting" tight end Daniel Gonzalez didn't even have a catch.
SEPTEMBER 7 • ROTOWIRE
Not listed as starter Willis is not listed as a starter in the Blue Raiders' depth chart for their game Saturday against Tennessee Tech.
Impact Daniel Gonzalez is atop the Blue Raiders' depth chart at tight end. At least for now, Willis has not earned being their go-to despite his 2023 excellence as a wide receiver.
AUGUST 29 • ROTOWIRE
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Find out where FOX Sports' RJ Young ranks the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders in his ultimate 134 college football ranking.AUGUST 11
Officially listed as tight end Willis has been officially listed as a tight end in the team's depth chart.
Impact Willis had been previously listed as wide receiver but had been used in the tight end role during the season. The senior pass-catcher totaled 46 receptions for 697 yards and five touchdowns across 11 games during the 2023 campaign.
JULY 10 • ROTOWIRE
Tallies 40 yards receiving Willis caught five passes for 40 yards versus Sam Houston on Saturday.
Impact Never able to find a significant role at South Florida, Willis flourished at Middle Tennessee State. He started the season slow - facing Alabama and Missouri didn't help - but over his last nine games he had 42 catches for 673 yards and five touchdowns.
NOVEMBER 25, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Catches two TDs Willis caught six passes for 105 yards and two scores Saturday versus UTEP.
Impact Willis has had three games with over 100 yards and a touchdown. For a tight end, that is certainly significant.
NOVEMBER 19, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Nets 61 yards Willis caught four passes for 61 yards versus Liberty on Tuesday.
Impact This is the worst game Willis has had in his last five outings, but do recall he is a tight end. He has 27 catches for 449 yards over his last five games, which is significant for his position.
OCTOBER 17, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Bulls wideout Holden Willis next to enter NCAA Transfer Portal Willis converted from tight end to wide receiver in three seasons at USF.
NOVEMBER 29, 2022 • 247SPORTS.COM
