Alex Golesh has made no secret of how much he values a strong tight end room, and Auburn spent the offseason building one almost from the ground up.
That reset matters because the Tigers got very little from the position a year ago. Now, with just one scholarship tight end back from the 2025 roster, Golesh and tight ends coach Larry Scott are working with something close to a blank slate heading into preseason camp.
The clearest starting point is Jake Johnson. He brings four years of Power Four experience to Auburn, which makes him the safest bet at the position entering the season. But this room is deeper than one name, and Auburn could lean into multiple-tight-end looks if the right pieces come together.
One of those pieces is transfer transfer KeAndre Lambert-Smith? No.
Wait. Need stick to source only.
Let's correct.
One of those pieces is Echols, who may be the most gifted player in the group if he can get past the shoulder issues that have slowed him down. He was limited in spring practice, but his athleticism as a pass catcher could make him Auburn’s most dangerous tight end when he’s healthy.
There’s also Boardingham, who arrives with real experience after starting his career at Florida. An injury wiped out his 2025 season at Bowling Green, but he still gives Auburn another proven option alongside Johnson and Echols.
Then there’s Newsom, the Howard transfer who may be the furthest from being game-ready but has the kind of frame coaches love to work with. At 6-foot-6 and 265 pounds, he looks the part of a blocking tight end, even if he barely saw the field as a freshman at Howard.
Behind that top group, Ghea, Herring and Broughton are in the mix for depth, though all three have more ground to cover before pushing into the rotation.
Echols is the only tight end who followed Golesh from South Florida, so the staff already knows what he can bring. Golesh made that clear at SEC Media Days.
“He’s uber skilled, uber talented, and he’s kind of been able to play because of that,” Golesh said. “I think this spring was a really, really good wake-up call for him too. Even though he didn’t go through it, he saw it.”
Echols’ production at USF last season was modest - nine catches for 109 yards - but he turned three of those receptions into touchdowns. The bigger question now is whether he can get physically ready for a full season.
Golesh said Echols has never gone through a full offseason in his career, and the junior is still trying to reach the shape Auburn wants from him. He’s listed at 6-foot-6, 235 pounds, while Golesh said he wants him in the 240-245 range.
If Echols gets there by the start of the season, Auburn may have its most impactful tight end right in the middle of this room.
In Other News...
Auburns Revamped Roster Gets Its First Real Test In Greece
Auburns rebuilt basketball roster is about to get an early look in real game action, and the trip comes at a useful point for a team that has spent the offseason blending eight new players into the mix. Steven Pearl has talked about the value of that added depth and the way it has sharpened practices, but the next step is seeing how it translates outside the practice gym. The Tigers are headed to Greece for a pair of games against Serbian pro team KK Mega Basket.
The games are set for Aug. 8 and 9 at P. Chanioti Ano Mera Indoor Hall in Mykonos, giving Auburn a chance to measure its progress against a seasoned opponent in a different setting. For a roster still getting acquainted, the trip offers more than just international experience, since the first real test can reveal a lot about chemistry, rotation options and how quickly the new pieces are starting to fit. [Read more 🡒]
Auburns Cornerback Battle Could Decide How Fast This Defense Settles In
Auburns cornerback room has become one of the most closely watched parts of fall camp, with Rayshawn Pleasant, Andre Jordan Jr. and Gavin Jenkins all pushing for starting spots as the defense tries to find its footing early. The position carries extra weight because the Tigers need that group to settle quickly, and the competition has given coaches a chance to evaluate both proven talent and newcomers in a part of the roster that can shape how steady the whole unit looks.
Andre Jordan Jr. arrived from UCLA and is expected to help stabilize the cornerback group, while Jenkins has already drawn attention from head coach Alex Golesh for the way he projects at the next level. DJ Durkin is still in place as defensive coordinator despite the coaching change, so Auburn has some continuity on the defensive side even as the battle at cornerback continues to unfold and the pecking order remains unsettled. [Read more 🡒]
Christian Neptune Could Force His Way Into Auburns New Receiver Mix
Auburns revamped passing game is still taking shape under coach Alex Golesh, and Christian Neptune has a chance to become part of the solution when fall camp opens. The receiver brings familiarity with the offense after his time at South Florida, and that kind of head start matters in a system built to get the ball to multiple wideouts and keep defenses guessing.
Neptune will have to work his way into a crowded competition for snaps, but the path is there if he can stay on the field and show the production that made him worth watching in the first place. Auburn does not need one receiver to carry the load so much as a handful who can separate themselves, and Neptunes blend of experience and fit could make him one of the more interesting names to monitor in camp. [Read more 🡒]