Right now, all eyes are on Auburn football kicker Alex McPherson. Yes, it’s the same McPherson who, in 2023, didn’t miss a kick, going 13 for 13 on field goals and 40 for 40 on PATs. This eventually earned him the SEC All-Freshman team’s honor at season’s end. But the universe had different plans. Before McPherson could carry his rage over to the next season, he got sidelined due to illness and missed most of the 2o24 season. Now that he is back in action in Hugh Freeze’s camp, fans want to explore his journey, beating all odds for the love of the sport.  

Alex McPherson’s background and early career

McPherson was born on August 29 to Amber and LaDon McPherson. He attended Fort Payne High School. He gained an interest in football quite early. The No. 1 rated kicker by Rivals, PrepStar and 24/7, McPherson holds the Alabama state record for longest field goal kicked, hitting from 61 yards out against North Jackson. Not just this, he won the Kohl’s kicking national field goal competition and the underclassman challenge. McPherson had hit a milestone in his high school by taking part in the Under Armour All-America Game and was also a soccer letterman.

Alex McPherson’s injury that threatened his football career 

McPherson had been battling some serious health issues that wreaked havoc on his 2024 season. After playing one game on October 26 at Kentucky, the kicker said regretting, “I probably shouldn’t have.”

Initially, McPherson was thought to have Crohn’s disease. But ultimately, he was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis, a chronic gastrointestinal disease. Things looked quite serious, and McPherson had to be operated on to remove his colon. The Auburn kicker underwent surgery on December 20. “It changed my life,” he said. “I wouldn’t be here or playing football again without the surgery. I think it was definitely the right decision for me and my family. I’m glad I did it.” 

All this process kept him away from the gridiron last season. When doctors told McPherson he could play football with an ostomy bag, that’s what motivated him to make a return. But the process of recovery was not easy. 

What challenges did Alex McPherson face during his recovery? 

During this year’s spring practice, McPherson confessed he’s feeling “probably 90% right now.” McPherson entered 2023 at 150 pounds, but by spring, he revealed his weight had swung wildly during 2024, dropping at times to just 110.

“I started throwing up, like, every day for two months, and I’d lost 55 pounds at that point. I was 110 pounds when I got admitted to the hospital,” shared McPherson on College Game Day. After playing the spring game at 135 pounds, he described himself as feeling around 65% at the time of the game.

Alex McPherson’s comeback at Auburn 

Auburn’s kicking game has been in steady hands this fall with McPherson drilling every kick Auburn’s asked of him: 15 PATs and two field goals, including a season-best 34-yarder in the win over South Alabama. That was well beyond his earlier 21-yard make against Baylor.

Hugh Freeze noted on Sept. 15 that McPherson’s health is improving, and the coach believes his kicker is steadily returning to top shape. “We feel that way,” the head coach said. “And again, I want it to keep trending that way, but it appears the latest treatment that he’s getting is definitely helping him eat better, with nutrition, and able to eat more, which is gaining him more strength.”

But even then, Hugh Freeze is not over the trauma. As he said, “That’s what we have felt these last three weeks, and I have no reason to believe it’s not going to continue. But obviously, when you have a condition you’re always kind of a little apprehensive to say that he’s going to get better every single week, but we sure hope that’s the case.” Here’s hoping Alex McPherson has put the rough stretch behind him and is kicking his way to brighter days at Auburn.