For the past two seasons, the Auburn Tigers football team has struggled to consistently perform well on special teams, especially when it comes to the kicking position.
Through no fault of his own, star kicker Alex McPherson was sidelined to various degrees throughout the last two years due to gastrointestinal illness. The Tigers have had an array of kickers trying to fill in for McPherson, often a different kicker for kickoffs and distant or short field goals, but nothing was quite as good as McPherson at his best.
The Tigers' 2026 spring practices began earlier this week, and McPherson said that he is feeling stronger than ever approaching his senior season.
"I honestly think I got stronger from what I finished at last season," McPherson said, per Auburn Undercover. "It's definitely built from these winter workouts. I probably gained 15 to 20 pounds. We're looking good."
After being limited for the past two season, McPherson has finally been able to build his strength back up and get back to kicking the longer distances.
"Last week, I kicked with the wind and had a few long ones," McPherson said. "Feeling really good. When you can hit the long field goals, it gives you the confidence on the shorter ones. You don't feel like you have to smoke the ball to get it there. You've just got to hit it well and get it there. Just trust what you're doing. Having the distance really helps with confidence."
The Tigers will continue with spring practices until the A-Day scrimmage set for April 18.