Top 2027 TE Prospect Holden Niemi Talks Notre Dame Camp, Visit

As Notre Dame welcomes its very top 2025 targets to campus for official visits this month and truly begins to narrow its board for the Class of 2026, that also means the other classes are elevated a notch as well.

On Monday, the Irish welcomed one of top emerging tight end prospects in the Class of 2027 to campus for camp.

“It went good,” Michigan tight end Holden Niemi‍ told Irish Sports Daily. “I think I showed off my ability to catch contested balls and create separation from defenders.”

The 6-foot-5, 220-pounder already has several offers from schools like Michigan, Wisconsin and Duke among others. 

“It's definitely an amazing blessing to think about all these schools and that they want me at this age,” he said. 

College coaches like the Dexter High School standout’s potential. 

“I just don't play like a freshman,” Niemi said of what he’s heard from college coaches. “I play like an upperclassman who's got what it takes to play at the next level.”

He appreciated the chance to work with Notre Dame offensive coordinator/tight ends coach Mike Denbrock during the camp in South Bend.

“It was cool just getting to see what they looked for in tight ends,” Niemi said. “I like it. He's nice and hands-on and after every rep he's making sure to tell you what you could have done better, what you did wrong.”

After the camp Niemi toured campus.

“I thought it was beautiful,” he said. “Obviously it's known for its campus. I thought it was really cool to go around and see all the monuments.”

Next up are visits to Ohio State, Georgia, Florida and Alabama.

The Irish made it clear they want him to return.

“They just said they wanted to have me back out, continue getting me on campus and keep building our relationship,” he said. “I'd love to get back down there. A gameday visit probably.”

His most important factors in choosing a school should benefit the Irish.

“Utilization of tight ends and academics are definitely two big ones.”

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