Player profile: Will Jake Johnson catch his big break at Auburn?

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.

• 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

High School: Oconee County High School

Previous college team: Texas A&M, North Carolina

• 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

Other schools in the mix: LSU, Alabama, Clemson, Tennessee

• 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)

Strengths: Penalties (1 committed in 2025), Contested catching (4 of 6 in 2025), Drops (0 in 2025)
 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.

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