A pair of former Tennessee players have locked in their spots in the 2025-2026 College Football Playoffs championship game. Former UT safety Jakobe Thomas and the 10-seed Miami Hurricanes will take on former Vol tight end Holden Staes and the top-seed Indiana Hoosiers on Jan. 19 in Miami, FL.
Thomas and the Hurricanes continued their underdog run through the playoffs by knocking off 6-seed Ole Miss in the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl in the semi-finals. Staes and the Hoosiers, meanwhile, earned their spot in the championship game with a dominant semi-final win over 5-seed Oregon in the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl.
Thomas has been an impact addition for the Hurricanes’ defense this season. He’s second on the team in total tackles with 69, and has also posted 3.5 sacks, five interceptions, two forced fumbles, and two fumble recoveries. Thomas also took an interception back to the house for his lone touchdown of the season.
He posted five total tackles, all solo, in the Canes’ win over the Rebels.
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The other former Vol lined up for the CFP final is Indiana reserve tight end Holden Staes, who played with Tennessee during the Vols’ 2024 campaign. Staes appeared in each regular-season game for the Hoosiers this season, but only recorded a reception in five contests. He’s tallied seven total receptions for 62 yards and two touchdowns. Staes’ best game came against Indiana State, in which he totaled two catches for 31 yards and a touchdown. He did not record any stats in the Hoosiers’ semi-final win over the Ducks.
During the 2024 season at Tennessee, Staes caught 15 passes for 131 yards and one touchdown.
The underdog Hurricanes and the dominant Hoosiers will meet in the College Football Playoffs championship game on Monday, Jan. 19, in Miami, FL.
