Auburn’s Tight End Room Gets a Total Makeover Under Golesh
If you’re an Auburn fan planning to head to Jordan-Hare this fall, you might want to bring a roster with you - especially when the tight ends take the field. After five straight losing seasons under Bryan Harsin and Hugh Freeze, the Tigers are hitting the reset button in a big way. New head coach Alex Golesh has brought in a wave of fresh faces, and nowhere is that overhaul more evident than in the tight end room.
Let’s break down what’s shaping up to be one of the most intriguing position groups on the roster.
Projected Depth Chart - Tight Ends
- Starter: Jake Johnson (Sr.)
- Backups: Hunter Herring (Sr.), Arlis Boardingham (Sr.), Jonathan Echols (Sr.), Ryan Ghea (So.), Xavier Newsom (So.), Demarcus Broughton (Fr.)
A Position in Flux - and in Need of Production
Let’s start with the obvious: Auburn’s tight ends were a non-factor in the passing game last season. Not a single touchdown came from the position - a rarity in program history.
Brandon Frazier and Preston Howard combined for 23 catches and 181 yards, but the lack of impact was more a symptom of a sputtering offense than a knock on their individual ability. Frazier has since graduated, and Howard is back at Maryland, leaving the cupboard bare.
Enter Alex Golesh, who wasted no time retooling the position with a mix of veteran transfers and promising underclassmen. His goal? Inject life into a unit that’s been stuck in neutral.
Jake Johnson: The New Anchor
At the top of the depth chart is Jake Johnson, a senior transfer from North Carolina. Johnson isn’t a household name - yet - but he brings a steady presence and real production to a group in desperate need of it.
Last season, he posted 16 catches for 144 yards and a touchdown. Those aren’t eye-popping numbers, but in an Auburn offense that’s starting from scratch, Johnson’s experience and reliability could make him a critical safety valve, especially as the quarterback situation settles.
Jonathan Echols: Familiar Face, Fresh Start
One of the more intriguing additions is Jonathan Echols, who followed Golesh from USF. Echols flashed big-play potential last season, hauling in nine catches for 109 yards and three touchdowns.
He’s already familiar with Golesh’s system, which could give him a leg up as the Tigers install a new offensive identity. Don’t be surprised if he carves out a significant role early.
Hunter Herring: From QB to TE
Then there’s Hunter Herring, a senior who spent last season playing quarterback at Louisiana-Monroe. Now, he’s making the transition to tight end - a bold move, but one that could pay off if he can leverage his understanding of offensive schemes and coverages. At 6-foot-4 with solid athleticism, Herring is a wild card in this group, but one worth watching.
The Rest of the Room: Depth with Upside
Behind them, Arlis Boardingham adds more senior experience, while Ryan Ghea returns after logging two catches last season. Xavier Newsom and Demarcus Broughton, a sophomore and freshman respectively, round out the group. Broughton, in particular, brings some long-term intrigue - a physical presence who could develop into a contributor down the line.
What to Expect
Golesh’s offense at USF leaned on versatility and tempo, and he’s likely to bring that same flavor to Auburn. That means tight ends won’t just be blockers or occasional check-down options - they’ll be expected to move around, create mismatches, and contribute in the red zone. For a group that didn’t find the end zone once last year, that’s a welcome shift.
There’s no proven star in this group - not yet. But there’s more depth, more athleticism, and a clearer vision for how the tight ends will be used. That alone is a major step forward.
In short, Auburn’s tight end room is emblematic of the broader changes happening across the program. It’s a mix of new faces, new roles, and new energy. And if Golesh can unlock even a fraction of the potential here, the Tigers might finally have a tight end group that’s more than just an afterthought.