Alex McPherson health update: Hugh Freeze says Auburn kicker is 'getting better'

Auburn K Alex McPherson has been unavailable for a portion of the offseason due to a health matter. With fall camp getting underway on The Plains, though, it seems as though the Tigers’ kicker could be back soon.

Hugh Freeze addressed McPherson’s status during a press conference ahead of their first day of practice on Thursday. He said that he is improving from where he was earlier on back. That leaves him still on the roster after attending the team’s meeting on Wednesday night.

“Getting better, thankfully,” said Freeze. “Not cleared to participate just yet but he’s with us here, was in our meetings last night, is in the 120.”

Per Freeze, McPherson has been dealing with a gastrointestinal issue related to irritable bowel syndrome over the month of July. It has been slightly more complicated than that for whatever reason personally but has been something the program has been optimistic that he’ll overcome since it began

This comes after McPherson was handling a hamstring injury from the end of last season.

McPherson has had a very efficient first two collegiate seasons at Auburn. He has made 19 of 20 kicks (95%) in his career, including a program record of 19 straight. He has never missed an extra point either in 49 tries over his 17 games.

That includes McPherson making all 13 of his kicks and each of his 40 extra points in 2023. That earned him all-conference recognitions as well as a national honor as a semifinalist for the Lou Groza Award.

If McPherson is still unavailable by the time the season starts at the end of the month, Towns McGough, a true freshman and the top kicker in the incoming class, would take his place. His only action so at came during A-Day where he too didn’t miss a kick out of seven, including a game-winning 58-yarder that won him the designation as Most Valuable Player.

Still, Freeze didn’t appear too concerned about McPherson earlier today. Auburn will just be continuing to monitor his status as he works his way back to the team over this next month.

“We’re hopeful that he’ll be back with us soon but seems to be making some progression,” said Freeze.

Evaluating why Auburn is trending in the right direction under Freeze

In Hugh Freeze‘s debut campaign at Auburn, the Tigers went 6-7 overall with a 3-5 mark in the SEC.

On Tuesday, On3’s JD PicKell explained why he believes Auburn will only continue to improve under Freeze.

“It’s great to talk about what they’re going to be on signing day or what they are right now but think about the future for Auburn,” PicKell said. “Hugh Freeze has gotten the arrow pointing up for Auburn Football. The trajectory of Auburn Football is in a really good place. He’s been there for, what, 18 months? Less than two years? What’s it going to be in three years, especially if they have on-field success?”

“If you’re able to flip it that quickly and capture momentum that quickly, that should scare the rest of college football for what Auburn can be going forward now. Because they’re, what, two years removed, a year removed from 5-7? And we’re already talking about them signing a Top-10, dare I say, potentially, top-five class if they do the right things on the field, class in 2024. So keep an eye on the Tigers now.”

With how they’re recruiting in all aspects, Auburn could be ready to take a step forward in Freeze’s second season.

“They have the resources, they have the brand, they have the alignment, they have the head coach, they have the staff, and I think a really fun brand of football to play that could ultimately be a major powder keg for them if they end up having success on the field in 2024,” PicKell said. “Auburn is recruiting like a program. Keep tabs on the Tigers, man. They’re gonna be a force.”