After being committed to Tennessee for more than 17 months, Jonathan Echols announced Friday that he’s no longer planning to sign with the Vols. The four-star Class of 2024 tight end from IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla., revealed in a post on his X account that he has committed to USF, backing out on his longstanding commitment to Tennessee less than two weeks before Early Signing Day. The 6-foot-4, 230-pound Echols will be reuniting with first-year USF coach Alex Golesh, who originally recruited Echols during his time as the Vols’ offensive coordinator and tight ends coach. Echols announced his commitment to Tennessee on July 4, 2022, becoming the Vols’ first commitment for the 2024 class at the time.
Echols is ranked the No. 179 overall prospect and No. 13 tight end in the 2024 class and the No. 24 senior from the state of Florida, according to the industry-generated 247Sports Composite. He’s also rated a four-star prospect by 247Sports, where he’s ranked the No. 18 tight end in the 2024 class. He was the lone tight end in Tennessee’s 2024 class. The Vols are now left searching for additional help at the position, where they’re preparing to replace seniors McCallan Castles and Jacob Warren after this season.
Tennessee now has 19 commitments for the 2024 class. The Vols’ class, which includes nine players who are rated four-star prospects by 247Sports and a pair of five-stars, remains at No. 12 nationally in the 247Sports Composite team rankings. Echols, who started his high school career at Heard County High School in Franklin, Ga., caught 14 passes for 232 yards and four touchdowns this season a
