Jonathan Echols' Unique Profile Translates Well To Tight End
Tennessee routinely searches for multi-faceted players with strong off-field development. Tight end commit Jonathan Echols has undergone much in his high school career but is ready for Rocky Top.
The junior started his journey in Franklin, Georgia, before transferring to IMG Academy ahead of this past season. Echols sought increased development opportunities and exposure to a college environment.
Furthermore, he isn't a full-time tight end. He played edge rusher in high school, and while he has the skills to play on the defensive front, he has reportedly opted to become a tight end. What does he bring to the table?
Physicality
Playing in competitive environments forces players to adapt. Echols played for IMG and high-level Georgia football, meaning he knows what it takes to win football games.
The answer is physicality. He flashes maximum effort on his tape, finishing through the whistle and taking pride in putting the defender flat on his back to allow the running backs to find creases.
When playing on the edge, Echols routinely gets into the chest of offensive linemen and is the first to initiate contact. He has the power and hand placement to win on either side of the ball, an encouraging sign this early.
Instincts
Echols plays offense, defense, and special teams. The coaching staff wherever he plays puts a lot of trust into his ability to process information and make the correct play, which he consistently does.
He takes the correct pursuit lane on kickoff, stays around the ball defensively, and redirects to open space at tight end. There are so many avenues where Echols wins, but the bottom line is that he is winning.
Some have an innate trait that enables them to find ways to impact games. If you fight long and hard enough, then you are bound to make some winning plays in a four-quarter game. Echols puts himself in a position for good things to happen, and they generally do.
Explosive Lower Body
His defensive line background should play to his benefit here. Echols has spent years learning how to play with lower-body leverage and explode through his toes, which is evident when he comes off the ball.
Echols can highpoint the ball over defenders in the red zone while quickly picking up steam in the open field. Defenders attempt to tackle him but bounce off his legs like bowling pins left helplessly on the turf.
Coming into college physically developed is a plus that plays to his advantage. He lists himself at 6-5 and 230 lbs., more than enough to see some significant reps during his first camp with the program.
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