Auburn's tight end room underwent a complete overhaul this offseason. With Brandon Frasier and Tate Johnson departing and Preston Howard entering the transfer portal, the Tigers were forced to rebuild one of the most important position groups in Alex Golesh's offense.
Now, as spring practice approaches, the battle lines are being drawn — and according to sources close to the program, several players are already making early impressions.
Jake Johnson: The Clear TE1 Favorite
The North Carolina transfer is widely expected to claim the starting role. Johnson brings SEC experience and the kind of versatility that Golesh's system demands. Barring injury, he should see the most snaps among Auburn's tight ends in 2026.
Jonathan Echols: The South Florida Connection
Echols followed Golesh from USF, and that familiarity gives him a distinct advantage in the TE2 race. Golesh has been vocal about how much he values having players who already know his system — the same way he's praised Cole Best, Byron Brown, and the receivers who came with him. Echols already understands the formational movement and versatility the offense requires.
Arlis Boardingham: The Name Generating Buzz
The Bowling Green transfer, who began his career at Florida, keeps coming up in conversations with people close to the program. Sources say Boardingham has made a strong early impression during the pre-spring workout period, particularly with his teammates. His ability to line up at H-back, attached to the line, or move around formationally without forcing substitutions makes him an ideal fit for a tempo-based offense.
Hunter Herring: The Athletic Wildcard
The former ULM quarterback has the size and athleticism to play tight end at the SEC level. The question is whether he can master the technical demands of the position — blocking defensive linemen, picking up elusive nickel corners in space, and running routes like a receiver — quickly enough to compete for meaningful snaps.
Ryan Ghea: The Sneaky Sleeper
The lone returning tight end physically and athletically looks the part. Those close to the situation say tight end coach Larry Scott made Ghea a priority down the stretch, and the true sophomore's discipline and work ethic align with what Golesh wants from his players. His biggest impact may come in 2027, but don't count him out this fall.
The Prediction
If spring started tomorrow, the depth chart would likely read: Jake Johnson at TE1, Jonathan Echols at TE2, and Arlis Boardingham at TE3 — with Ryan Ghea lurking as a potential surprise. But in a room full of new faces and open competition, nothing is set in stone.
