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 profilePosition: Tight endHometown: Bogart, GeorgiaHigh School: Oconee County High SchoolPrevious college team: Texas A&M, North CarolinaHeight: 6-6Weight: 245Class: SeniorJake Johnson as a recruitRecruiting class: 2022Signed with: Texas A&MPosition 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 statsYearGPGSCatchesYardsTD2022 (Texas A&M)401202023 (Texas A&M)1242423542024 (North Carolina)13122102025 (North Carolina)124161441Totals419434025Jake Johnson's PFF report card2022 (Texas A&M): 62.82023 (Texas A&M): 58.22024 (North Carolina): 45.42025 (North Carolina): 57.3Strengths: Penalties (1 committed in 2025), Contested catching (4 of 6 in 2025), Drops (0 in 2025)Check out our other Auburn football player previewsAuburn 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 McPhersonS Anquon FegansS Eric WintersS Sylvester Smith-ReedS Champ AnthonyCB Rayshawn PleasantCB Andre Jordan Jr.LB Bryce DeasLB Demarcus RiddickLB Elijah MelendezLB Xavier AtkinsEDGE Da'shawn WomackEDGE Jared SmithDL Walter Mathis JrDL Dallas Walker IVDL Malik AutryDL Jourdin CrawfordDL Cody SiglerDL Saint FarriorDE Chris MurrayOL Stanton RamilOL Jacob StrandOL Deryc PlazzOL Jack LeyrerOL Cole BestOL Kail EllisOL Cole SkinnerOL Jo SimmonsContact/Follow us @TheAuburnWire on X (Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Auburn news, notes, and opinions. You can also follow Taylor on Twitter @TaylorJones__This article originally appeared on Auburn Wire: Player profile: Will Jake Johnson catch his big break at Auburn?

Source: Yahoo Sports