Previewing Auburn’s tight ends going into preseason camp
A closer look at the position that could provide a boost to Auburn's offense this season
Olivia Bennett 
As a former tight ends coach, Alex Golesh knows exactly how much a high-impact tight end room can transform an offense. After a 2025 season plagued by minimal production at the position, Golesh has made it a top priority to overhaul the depth chart at Auburn.
With only one scholarship player returning from last year’s roster, the coaching staff, led by Golesh and tight ends coach Larry Scott, has essentially enjoyed a fresh start. Here is a look at the personnel tasked with sparking the Tigers' passing game.
The Depth Chart
Returners: Ryan Ghea
Newcomers: Jake Johnson, Arlis Boardingham, Hunter Herring, Jonathan Echols, Xavier Newsom, DJ Broughton
Leading the way is projected starter Jake Johnson. Bringing four years of Power Four experience to the Plains, Johnson serves as the most reliable veteran option for an offense that may look to utilize multiple tight ends on the field simultaneously.
Building the Room
While Johnson anchors the group, the ceiling for this unit may be defined by its high-upside acquisitions. Arlis Boardingham, a transfer from Florida, offers significant experience despite missing the 2025 campaign at Bowling Green due to injury. Meanwhile, Howard transfer Xavier Newsom brings substantial size at 6-foot-6, 265 pounds, earning praise from the staff for his potential as a blocker.
The room also features depth pieces in Ryan Ghea, Hunter Herring, and DJ Broughton, all of whom are vying to carve out a spot in the rotation as camp progresses.
The Breakout Candidate: Jonathan Echols
Perhaps the most intriguing talent in the room is Jonathan Echols. As the only tight end to follow Golesh from South Florida, Echols is a player the staff is intimately familiar with, though injuries have hampered his progress.
"He’s uber skilled, uber talented," Golesh said during SEC Media Days. "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 flashed playmaking ability at USF last season, recording nine catches with three of them going for touchdowns. Now, the goal for the 6-foot-6, 235-pound junior is to reach his ideal playing weight of 240-245 pounds. If he can overcome his recent health hurdles and get into game shape, he has the potential to become the most dynamic weapon in Auburn's tight end arsenal.
