2025 Commitment Ryan Ghea Will Help Auburn's Offense In Multiple Ways

Auburn has begun to change its tight end personnel with Ryan Ghea's commitment

When the Auburn Tigers received a verbal commitment from 2025 tight end Ryan Ghea, it helped to serve multiple purposes for the future of the program.

Hugh Freeze has only begun to expand the formations and playbook during Year 1 of his offensive install. A big part of what Freeze has shown to do in the past and will again with the Tigers is use tight ends in many different ways, something Ghea has also shown while playing for Milton (Ga.) High School.

Auburn probably could have used another big-bodied tight end with the all-around skills Ghea has shown, albeit one that’s about four years older and 20 pounds heavier (more on that below). Time to discuss what Ghea has shown as his strengths this season.

For Milton, he’s been flexed out, essentially as a wide receiver, in terms of how Milton has often thrown Ghea the football. He’s shown to be a natural when bringing the ball into his hands but also while doing it away from his body to help ensure the best chance to complete the catch. Ghea has good straight-line speed as well.

Additionally, Ghea also showed he’s not just a willing blocker during screen plays but also one that wants to dominate the defender in front of him; Ghea brings the necessary physicality to play tight end at the SEC level. That brings us to his versatility.

Playing as a flex tight end, he’s helped with look screens, tunnel screens, and the like to help wide receivers get loose. Those same plays will one day help Ghea’s future teammate Perry Thompson in space and eventually into the end zone.

If the tight end’s block is just okay, that play could go two yards instead of a score. The margin for error is razor-thin for the tight end. That’s why Ghea’s power and versatility combined, will be essential.

He’s shown to be a natural when bringing the ball into his hands but also while doing it away from his body to help ensure the best chance to complete the catch. Ghea has good straight-line speed as well. Now, time to talk power football.

Ghea has also shown to be a player that can be a traditional tight end, i.e. power player that bangs inside the fray at the line of scrimmage. Again, it’s about physicality as much as it’s been Ghea shifting where he initially lined up. He’s overpowered many of his opponents and created space for the rushing attack.

At 6-foot-5 and 235 pounds, Ghea has more room to fill out his frame, too. Once he’s been in Auburn’s strength and conditioning program for at least one year, much like current Auburn tight ends Rivaldo Fairweather and Luke Deal have shown to progress their frames, Deal will be an even more impactful weapon for Freeze and the Tigers.

Moving forward, Auburn’s offensive scheme will probably show the tight end position being used in even more creative ways. Perhaps sometimes being in the backfield during short-yardage plays. Look for Ghea to one day be a part of those types of formations and plays. He will be a part of what Auburn wants to do in a multitude of ways.

---

Recruiting pages to bookmark

2024 Auburn Tigers Commitment List and Evaluations

2025 Auburn Tigers Commitment List and Evaluations

Engage with Auburn Daily on Socials!

Join the Locked on Auburn Discord

Follow Auburn Daily on Twitter

Like Auburn Daily on Facebook

Subscribe to Locked On Auburn on YouTube