Auburn football adds USF TE transfer Jonathan Echols | Why he chose AU

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AUBURN — Alex Golesh‘s South Florida additions continued with tight end Jonathan Echols signing with Auburn football on Monday, Jan. 5.

Echols reposted initial reports of the news on his personal social media, confirming the signing. He’s one of six transfers either committed or signed to the Tigers, five of which played for Golesh at South Florida.

Echols is listed as the 259th-best prospect in the portal and the 18th-best tight end, according to 247Sports. He spent two seasons at South Florida, flipping his commitment from Tennessee to the Bulls as a four-star prospect, choosing to follow Golesh from Knoxville to Tampa.

As a freshman, Echols played in just two games and caught one pass, albeit, for a 56-yard touchdown. In 10 games this past season, he caught nine passes for 109 yards and three touchdowns.

Like several of Auburn‘s position groups, Echols will join a tight end room set to look completely different in 2026. Longtime Tiger Brandon Frazier is out of eligibility, and Preston Howard entered the transfer portal following the 2025 season, as did true freshman Hollis Davidson III.

Why Jonathan Echols chose Auburn football

A native of Franklin, Georgia, Echols described Auburn — a little more than an hour from his hometown — as home. He also expressed an eagerness to work with new tight ends coach Larry Scott and, of course, return to Golesh’s offense.

“In an Alex Golesh offense,” Echols said, “you’re going to get explosive playmakers that are going to come ready to make plays.”

Jonathan Echols’ career stats

  • Career (2024-25): 10 receptions, 168 receiving yards (16.8 YPR), 4 receiving touchdowns
    • 2025 (10 games): 9 receptions, 109 receiving yards (12.1 YPR), 3 receiving touchdowns
    • 2024 (2 games): 1 reception, 59 receiving yards (59 YPR), 1 receiving touchdown

Adam Cole is the Auburn athletics beat writer for the Montgomery Advertiser. He can be reached via email at acole@gannett.com or on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, @colereporter.To support Adam’s work, please subscribe to the Montgomery Advertiser.

This article originally appeared on Montgomery Advertiser: South Florida TE transfer Jonathan Echols commits to Auburn football

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