Stampeding Through the 2025 USF Football Roster: #1 TE Jonathan Echols
Could USF's prize recruit see a bump in playing time?
PLAYER: Jonathan Echols
POSITION: Tight end
YEAR: Redshirt freshman
HEIGHT/WEIGHT: 6’6”, 235 lbs.
HOW DID HE GET HERE? Echols was one of the biggest recruiting coups USF has ever pulled off, full stop. He started off at Heard County High School in Franklin, Georgia, where he played almost every position imaginable. He then transferred to IMG Academy as a junior and got on the national radar, earning a four-star rating and offers from Tennessee, Florida, Ohio State, Georgia, Texas… you get the picture. He committed to the Vols in the summer of 2022, with his main recruiter being one Alex Golesh. When Golesh jumped to USF, he kept Echols on his radar, and eventually convinced him to flip to the Bulls in December 2023, just before early signing day.
Echols played both defensive end and tight end at IMG, but it was his sheer athleticism that got him national attention. Originally, the recruiting services had him pegged as a borderline five-star, but eventually graded him out as more of a project as he transitioned to tight end full-time. Still, four-star recruits don’t walk through the door at USF much, especially not in the post-Big East days. Per the 247 composite, Echols is the tenth highest-rated commit in USF history, and the highest since 2012 (!).
HOW WAS HIS 2024 SEASON? I’d call it efficient. Echols only played in three games - the opener against Bethune-Cookman, the blowout against Tulsa, and the bowl game - and only ran two routes, per PFF. One of those routes? A 59-yard touchdown grab against Tulsa where he snuck up the seam and outran the defense to the end zone. You can relive this pleasant moment at 7:05, below.
Despite his recruiting pedigree, the modest playing time wasn’t unexpected. The coaching staff was clear that they expect big things from Echols, but he needed some time to bulk up and continue to learn the intricacies of the position.
SPOT ON WEEK ONE DEPTH CHART: Echols is not listed.
WHAT SHOULD WE EXPECT IN 2025? Tight end is a bit of a jumble for USF - they have a ton of options, but no alpha at the moment. It could be Wyatt Sullivan, who started for FAU last season. It could be Weston Wolff, who started for the Bulls in 2023 and then missed the 2024 season with an injury. And blocking specialist Evan Dangler will almost certainly see a lot of playing time.
Could Echols be the alpha? Originally, I thought it was possible. He looked great in the spring and has bulked up quite a bit since arriving on campus. That said, his omission on the week one depth chart suggests that the Bulls’ coaching staff doesn’t quite see him as ready for big-time snaps yet. Nonetheless, I do expect more playing time in 2025, and the ceiling is still sky high here.