Auburn kicker Alex McPherson has endured one of the most remarkable comeback stories in all of college football.
The sixth-year senior nearly saw his career come to an abrupt end after undergoing surgery to remove his large intestine following a diagnosis of ulcerative colitis. The illness caused him to lose nearly 60 pounds, dropping as low as 110 pounds following the 2023 season – a year in which he did not miss a field goal and earned Lou Groza Award semifinalist honors.
The road back to playing was not immediate.
McPherson appeared in just one game during the 2024 season before returning last season still battling sickness after his diagnosis was changed to Crohn’s disease. Despite that, he appeared in all 12 games and converted 20 of his 23 field goal attempts.
Now, back up to 165 pounds entering his final season on the Plains, McPherson believes he’s finally back to form.
“I think I am kicking as good as I have since before I got sick. " It’s really exciting getting to do that and play with the guys to the full extent,” McPherson said.
Able to drill home short field goal attempts last year while finishing the regular season ranked fourth in the SEC in field goals made and tied for the fifth most in Auburn's single-season history, McPherson said he’s getting back to drilling long-distance kicks.
“I would say, whatever they need me out there for, I think I can do at this point,” McPherson said. “We kicked yesterday before I got on the plane to come here, and we made a 60-yarder as a unit.”
Plenty of players would have walked away from the game after everything McPherson endured. Instead, the Fort Payne, Alabama, native returned for one final season despite playing under the third head coach of his career.
He’s embraced first-year head coach Alex Golesh’s vision and has developed a strong relationship with new special teams coach Jacob Bronowski.
“Coach Bro is a guy that’s going to get you fired up to play special teams, which I don’t think many guys can do,” McPherson said. “It’s been a great transition. Coach Bro is awesome. He’s fiery, but he has your back at the same time. I feel like this whole staff is kind of like that.”
McPherson also called it an honor to represent Auburn at SEC Media Days in Tampa, Florida.
“I was kind of shocked. I don’t think many kickers or punters get to do this,” McPherson said. “I was honored and grateful to be able to come. That he (Golesh) would trust me to represent this team, it’s just a huge honor.”
Now healthy and confident, McPherson will have one final opportunity to leave his mark on the program when the Tigers open the season on September 5 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium against Baylor. Kickoff is set for 2:30 p.m. on ABC.
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