Four-Star TE Jonathan Echols flips to USF

Four-star tight end Jonathan Echols of Franklin (GA) IMG Academy flipped his commitment from Tennessee to USF.

The 6-foot-5, 220 TE had been committed to the Volunteers since July 2022.

“In the end what came down to my decision was that I have great trust in the coaching staff. I believe in the process and in the direction that the program is headed!”

His relationship with the coaching staff and their plan for him played a role in his decision as well.

“I’m close with the whole staff but I’d say I have the closest relationships with Golesh and a lot of the guys that came from Tennessee! Me and coach Patterson have also built a close relationship over the past months and he’s a great guy and I can’t wait to be developed as an in-line blocker and receiver.”

The Sunshine State tight end joins coach Alex Golesh and the Buffs’ top 60 2024 class. He is accompanied by three-star safety Fred Gaskin III, three-star wide receiver Brandon Winton Jr., and others.

Jonathan Echols Recruiting Profile

Echols ranks as the No. 220 player in the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He also tabs in as the No. 13 tight end and the No. 30 player in Florida.

Scouting Summary

On3’s Scouting and Rankings Team writes about him as a college recruit:

“Do-it-all athlete who looks to best project as an EDGE prospect long-term. Played multiple positions for his high school, working as a quarterback, receiver and pass rusher/linebacker. Makes big plays in every phase. Shows high-level play speed in running down plays in pursuit as a defender. Doubles as a playmaker with the ball in his hands on offense. Tested as a plus athlete in the off-season prior to his junior season at 6-foot-3.5, 212 pounds. Transferred to IMG Academy for his junior season. Will need to hammer down a long-term position once he assimilates to the IMG program.”

He currently has an On3 NIL Valuation of $84K. The On3 NIL Valuation is the industry’s leading index that sets high school and college athletes’ projected annual value (PAV). The NIL valuation does not act as a tracker of the value of NIL deals an athlete has completed to date. It rather signifies an athlete’s value at a certain moment in time.