The 2026 football season for the Auburn Tigers is on the horizon. As we anticipate the start of the season, let's introduce you to a key member of the 2026 roster.
Auburn tight end Jake Johnson brings value and experience to the table this season. However, he has yet to accomplish one goal heading into his senior season, and that is to be the everyday starting tight end.
Johnson, the son of former NFL quarterback Brad Johnson and brother of Max Johnson, who is now a quarterback for Georgia Southern after starting his career at LSU, has appeared in over 40 games over four seasons with Texas A&M and North Carolina, and has logged over 402 receiving yards in that span. But, he has only started nine games total in four seasons, and looks to take hold of the starting tight end position for the Auburn Tigers in his final eligible season of collegiate play.
Johnson has proven to be a reliable target for quarterbacks by recording four contested catches out of six opportunities last season at North Carolina, and logged 16 catches without a drop. However, the competition will be heavy leading into the season as USF transfer Jonathan Echols and Bowling Green transfer Arlis Boardingham are also firmly in the mix.
Get to know Auburn tight end Jake Johnson by checking out his 2026 Auburn football player profile below.
Jake Johnson's player profile
- Position: Tight end
- Hometown: Bogart, Georgia
- High School: Oconee County High School
- Previous college team: Texas A&M, North Carolina
- Height: 6-6
- Weight: 245
- Class: Senior
Jake Johnson as a recruit
- Recruiting class: 2022
- Signed with: Texas A&M
- Position rank: No. 1 (247Sports)
- State rank: No. 8 (247Sports)
- Rating: Four-star (247Sports)
- Other schools in the mix: LSU, Alabama, Clemson, Tennessee
Jake Johnson's career stats
| Year | GP | GS | Catches | Yards | TD |
| 2022 (Texas A&M) | 4 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 |
| 2023 (Texas A&M) | 12 | 4 | 24 | 235 | 4 |
| 2024 (North Carolina) | 13 | 1 | 2 | 21 | 0 |
| 2025 (North Carolina) | 12 | 4 | 16 | 144 | 1 |
| Totals | 41 | 9 | 43 | 402 | 5 |
Jake Johnson's PFF report card
- 2022 (Texas A&M): 62.8
- 2023 (Texas A&M): 58.2
- 2024 (North Carolina): 45.4
- 2025 (North Carolina): 57.3
- Strengths: Penalties (1 committed in 2025), Contested catching (4 of 6 in 2025), Drops (0 in 2025)
Check out our other Auburn football player previews
Auburn Wire is preparing for the 2026 season by profiling several notable players. Check out the 2026 player profile of your favorite player below.
- K Alex McPherson
- S Anquon Fegans
- S Eric Winters
- S Sylvester Smith-Reed
- S Champ Anthony
- CB Rayshawn Pleasant
- CB Andre Jordan Jr.
- LB Bryce Deas
- LB Demarcus Riddick
- LB Elijah Melendez
- LB Xavier Atkins
- EDGE Da'shawn Womack
- EDGE Jared Smith
- DL Walter Mathis Jr
- DL Dallas Walker IV
- DL Malik Autry
- DL Jourdin Crawford
- DL Cody Sigler
- DL Saint Farrior
- DE Chris Murray
- OL Stanton Ramil
- OL Jacob Strand
- OL Deryc Plazz
- OL Jack Leyrer
- OL Cole Best
- OL Kail Ellis
- OL Cole Skinner
- OL Jo Simmons
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This article originally appeared on Auburn Wire: Player profile: Will Jake Johnson catch his big break at Auburn?