Auburn made some substantial moves in the transfer portal, with around 33 additions to the roster since the window opened. Almost two-thirds of those incoming players, or 21 to be exact, came on offense. It was a clear indicator of where head coach Alex Golesh believes the reset must begin. But despite the addition of multiple QBs, the Tigers’ latest portal move delivered a message about flexibility, depth, and problem-solving under pressure. 

“BREAKING: Auburn has added former ULM reserve QB Hunter Herring as a TE,” Auburn reporter Christian Clemente wrote on X on January 22. 

Hunter Herring arrives listed at 6’5, 230 pounds, bringing a body type that Auburn clearly prioritized throughout this portal cycle. Clemente noted his varied usage at ULM, where he handled QB duties, carried the ball, caught passes, and even blocked a punt on special teams. That versatility is a requirement in Alex Golesh’s offense. And it hints at why the Tigers made this move so late in the process.

Auburn had little choice but to overhaul its TE room for 2026 with four players from the 2025 group departing. Preston Howard entered the portal after one season on the Plains. The primary contributor in 2025 struggled with drops and finished his season with 10 catches for 84 yards. Meanwhile, Brandon Frazier and Tate Johnson have exhausted their eligibility, with freshman Hollis Davidson III bound for the portal.

These factors have left Auburn’s room thin, exposed, and searching, and they took immediate action.

Firstly, Jonathan Echols transferred to the Tigers, following Alex Golesh from South Florida. Echols caught nine receptions for 109 yards and three TDs in 2025 and brings three years of eligibility. The 6’6, 235-pounder profiles as an immediate contributor, and he may gel perfectly at Auburn, especially because of his familiarity with the head coach and QB Byrum Brown. 

Thereafter, it was Xavier Newsome who joined the program, as he reunited with TEs coach Larry Scott after transferring from Howard. The 240-pound tight end’s production took a hit in 2025 because of injury, but his physical stature offers blocking value and long-term upside to the Tigers. 

Jake Johnson added experience to the room, bringing four years split between North Carolina and Texas A&M. He caught 16 passes for 144 yards in 2025 and previously posted 24 receptions and four touchdowns with the Aggies in 2023. His hands and field-stretching ability make him a legitimate option to start. And now, there’s this QB-turned-TE situation. 

Why Hunter Herring makes sense in Alex Golesh’s offense

Hunter Herring fits into this group differently. His value lies in adaptability. In 2025, he appeared in 10 games for ULM across offense and special teams. He threw for 111 yards and a TD, rushed for 57 yards and two scores, and added 17 receiving yards. Across his career, he completed 22 of 42 passes for 251 yards, ran for 241 yards at 4.9 yards per carry, and scored four rushing TDs. He also blocked a punt.

That approach mirrors Alex Golesh’s broader blueprint. He committed to Auburn on a six-year deal after his 23-15 run at USF, capped by a 9-3 season in 2025. The Bulls finished third nationally in total offense, ranked top five in scoring, and placed inside the top 20 both rushing and passing. He brought 11 transfers from USF to Auburn to replicate that production. 

Defensively, Auburn maintained continuity by retaining D.J. Durkin, who served as interim head coach over the final three games of a 5-7 season. Offensively, everything’s about to change. Byrum Brown projects as QB1, and he’s supported by a young QB room. While at the tight end position, Jake Johnson and Jonathan Echols are likely to headline the depth chart, with DJ Broughton Jr., Ryan Ghea, and Xavier Newsome standing right behind them. It remains to be seen how things pan out in the coming months.

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