Auburn fans will need a roster for the first few games of the 2026 football season, as massive turnover has come with a brand-new coaching staff on the Plains.
Alex Golesh has brought in a new crop of players who are looking to restore pride to the Auburn football program after a disappointing five losing seasons under Bryan Harsin and Hugh Freeze. While the Tigers have lost some major talent, Golesh and his staff have helped restock that with some critical signees, including many from his former team, USF.
With Auburn likely done in the transfer portal, here’s a quick look at how both sides of the ball stand with a depth chart for each position. Today, we look at Auburn’s tight ends.
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.)
No, you didn’t miss a tight end catching a touchdown for the Tigers last season, because it never happened, one of the few seasons in program history that that can be said. Brandon Frazier and Preston Howard combined for 23 catches for 181 yards, but like many of the offensive players, their lack of production came down to an inefficient offense and quarterbacks.
Frazier graduated, while Howard returned to Maryland, meaning that, like every position, Golesh had to find a ton of replacements. In comes Jake Johnson from North Carolina, where he recorded 16 receptions for 144 yards and a touchdown last season and Jonathan Echols, who followed Golesh from USF after catching nine passes for 109 yards and three scores in 2025.
Hunter Herring, who played quarterback at Louisiana-Monroe last season, is an interesting prospect as he switches to tight end, while Ryan Geah returns after two catches last season for Auburn.