Last season was a tough year for the Auburn Tigers at the kicker position. Auburn had assumed that they would have one of the best in college football in Alex McPherson. Due to what head coach Hugh Freeze called a gastrointestinal issue on multiple occasions, the Tigers were without McPherson for most of the season. The team would have to turn to freshman Towns McGough and then later in the season Ian Vachon. On Tuesday, Freeze updated the kicking situation as spring practice has started on the Plains.
“We have a lot of new kickers, but Alex looks good. He kicked today and made every single kick I believe,” said Freeze. In 2023, McPherson was perfect going 13-for-13 on field goals and making all 40 extra-point attempts. In his only appearance for the 2024 season, he was 1-of-2 on field goals in a 24-10 victory over Kentucky. His lone field goal was for 27 yards.
Freeze went on to say, “He looks really good, and not to get too much into his business, but I think the procedures done on him have been successful. I think he has one more that needs to be done, but I think he has chosen to wait through the season before he does that. He looks good and has definitely gained more weight. He looks healthier and kicked the ball extremely well today.”
A healthy McPherson would be a big addition for the Tigers on the football field. For years, the kicker position has been one that the program has been able to rely on. It was odd for the Tigers to struggle at that spot. “He is excited, but so are Towns (McGough), Ian (Vachon) and (Connor) Gibbs,” added Freeze. “They have all kicked pretty well in the few opportunities that we have seen. We haven’t done it a lot yet, but I thought they all looked good today.”
McGough struggled during the season, going 5-for-12 and was 0-for-5 on kicks of 50 yards or more. He was later replaced by Vachon, who was 6-of-8 but was very limited with his range on distance. Auburn went to the transfer portal and added Connor Gibbs from Southern Miss. Gibbs was 10-for-13 last season with a long of 59 yards.
This article originally appeared on Auburn Wire: Auburn head coach Hugh Freeze shares positive update on Alex McPherson
