Alex McPherson is 'back to being himself' following health setback

After battling a gastrointestinal issue during the offseason, Auburn kicker Alex McPherson’s status season was in question. Now, it appears that Auburn’s Lou Groza Award semifinalist will get a chance to return to the field sooner than imagined.

Auburn special teams coordinator Tanner Burns met with the media this week, where he shared a positive update regarding one of Auburn’s top-scoring weapons. McPherson is starting to gain weight and has begun kicking in practice.

“It was a slow process to get him to where he’s at now, but I think he weighs a little over 140 now. So he’s gaining that weight, he’s starting to kick. Really kind of amping that up this week,” Burns said. “Health-wise and everything, he’s back to being himself. There was a point in time — he’s always the type of kid that’s going to say he’s doing great whether he was having a good day or a bad day. But now the personality that we’re used to him having has shown up more and more.”

If McPherson needs to miss time, freshman Towns McGough, who became a folk legend following his A-Day performance, is ready to step up and take on the role of Auburn’s starting kicker. Burns has confidence that his kickers will give Auburn an edge in tight games.

“I feel like we’ve got the two best kickers in the country,” Burns said. “I really do. It’s not just something I’m saying. Those guys are the two most talented I’ve had in my years of coaching. Their mindset is what you want. But to be able to have Towns here in a situation that none of us could see happening, happening, and to have him here and his attitude and how he’s related to those guys and that group, and how he takes coaching. … He’s still just a freshman. No different than a wideout we have, a linebacker, anybody else. A freshman. But he had a good camp.”

McPherson reached perfection last season. He nailed all 13 of his field goal attempts with his long being 53 yards out. As for extra points, he connected on all 40 of his attempts. In two seasons, McPherson has missed just one kick. He missed a 54-yard field goal attempt in Auburn’s 13-10 win over Texas A&M in 2022. He plays a vital role in Auburn’s scoring success, so the possibility of him returning with full power will give the Tigers the upper hand in special teams.

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