Alex McPherson’s return has become one of the most remarkable storylines around Auburn, and new head coach Alex Golesh made it clear at SEC Media Days that he sees far more than a kicker when he looks at the senior.
McPherson, 22, missed the 2024 season after a severe case of ulcerative colitis, a setback that could have ended his football career. Instead, he is back in line to be Auburn’s primary place kicker in 2026 and appears to be fully recovered. His career field goal percentage sits at 88.9%, a number that already puts him among the best kickers in history and gives him a chance to own the all-time record if he keeps that pace going.
Golesh said he was struck less by the numbers than by the way McPherson carries himself.
“A young man whose 2024 year got cut short,” he said. “Talk about overcoming adversity.
Really shouldn't be playing football, and continues to fight through to be one of the best kickers in the history of Auburn, but at the same time, represents everything you want an Auburn man to be…. He's an Auburn man as they come.”
Golesh, who has not spent much time on the Plains during McPherson’s illness and recovery, said he initially tried to ease the senior back into things. McPherson wasn’t interested in being handled carefully.
“I went up to Alex, [and said] ‘Listen, dude, you're not going to go through this.’ You should've seen the look on Alex's face.
He's like, ‘I'm not a kicker, I play football here.’ As late as yesterday morning at 7:00 a.m., when he lifted with the developmental group, he was out there running with the skill guys.”
For Golesh, that kind of response fits the culture he wants to build. He said McPherson’s toughness, leadership and approach stand out immediately.
“You talk about our identity,” he said. “[McPherson is] physically and mentally tough.
Leader. His process is elite in what he does and how he does it.
Almost a 90% field goal guy in his career here. Another guy I'm so excited about watching his senior year and seeing him help us win football games, because of the way that he's bought in and his process and identity.”
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