Nights Before Neyland: How Josh Heupel Can Use Jonathan Echols

2024 four-star tight end Jonathan Echols (Franklin, Ga.) has been committed to the Tennessee Volunteers for over a year. What will he bring to Knoxville?

Four-star tight end Jonathan Echols was Tennessee's first 2024 commitment. He announced his decision on July 4, 2022, choosing the Vols over Florida, Alabama, and Ohio State. Echols initially committed to the staff to be coached by Alex Golesh, who served as the offensive coordinator and tight ends coach at the time. However, Golesh left for the USF head coaching job this offseason, leaving Echols with a new position coach one year out from when he walks onto a college campus.

The Vols opted to promote internally, giving offensive analyst Alec Abeln a promotion to the vacant tight ends coach position. While Abeln and Echols had a relationship, they still had to cultivate one. Meanwhile, the local Florida schools were laying on strong pitches. The Florida Gators wanted Echols from the beginning and even managed to get him in Gainseville on an official visit this summer. USF also made a push for Echols when Golesh took over, as their relationship and proximity to Echols's new high school, IMG Academy, were intriguing.

However, Tennessee remained steadfast that they wanted Echols in this class. He had a great time on his official visit to Knoxville on June 23 and quickly shut down his recruitment afterward. Echols has envisioned catching passes for head coach Josh Heupel for twelve months now, and he wasn't going to let one coaching change alter that path. Echols initially played at Heard County High School in Franklin, Georgia, as a defensive end and tight end. He also played some wildcat quarterback and was a key force on both sides of the football.

2024 TE Jonathan Echols during an unofficial visit to Tennessee on March 25

While those first two seasons in Georgia helped him earn a lot of national recognition, Echols knew he wanted to play offense and wanted to get developed. He transferred to IMG Academy down in Bradenton, Florida, one of the premier football programs in the country. He only made four appearances in 2023, logging eight catches for 133 yards. He's still quite unrefined and must be in more game-situations as a senior, but we watched all three years of tape to make a complete evaluation.

The first interesting piece of this evaluation is Echols's size. He measures 6-3.5 and 230 pounds, having put on a ton of muscle since his freshman season. Heard County split him out-wide during his freshman year, but Echols added a ton of weight between his freshman and sophomore year. By the time he got to IMG, Echols was exclusively playing as a power-slot and in-line tight end. Echols weight gain didn't hinder his development, as his calling card was never athleticism. He wants to outphysical you with the football in his hands, running through defenders and making subtle moves.

One player comparison that makes a lot of sense to me is Las Vegas Raiders tight end Austin Hooper. While Hooper isn't at the peak of his powers anymore, a few years ago he looked exactly like what Tennessee wants Echols to be. Hooper played at 6-4 and 255 pounds at the height of things, routinely getting the ball in open space and getting 12-15 yards. He wasn't going to burn anyone downfield, but he was an apt athlete that could somehow wiggle out of a tackle and create three more yards. 

Echols will get a ton of yards and catches in college if he can put on around 20 pounds of muscle and continue his winning ways as a blocker. Tennessee can use him at and around the line of scrimmage knowing they can count on him to hold his assignment as a blocker. Then, they can use him on boots, spot routes, quick slants, and other short passes to let him work toward the first-down marker and keep the chains moving.

You Might Also Like:

• Vols Transfer Ryan Galanie to Pursue MLB Career
• Joe Milton III's Journey Resembles That of Anthony Richardson
• Tennessee Announces SEC Media Day Participants

Join the community:

Follow Evan Crowell on Twitter: @EvanVCrowell

You can follow us for future coverage by clicking "Follow" on the top right-hand corner of the page. Also, be sure to like us on Facebook @VolunteerCountry & follow us on Twitter at @VCountryFN.