ALEXANDER CITY — Redshirt sophomore kicker Alex McPherson, one of Auburn University football’s most talented players, is dealing with some non-injury related issues ahead of his third season with the team.
“It’s a weird one and I don’t want to get too specific,” manager Hugh Freeze said Tuesday when asked about the team’s health at an AMBUSH event, “but he’s battling an illness. I think he’ll be OK.”
Freeze later clarified that he expects McPherson to play in 2024, but said, “He’s just battling some health issues. It took a while to get diagnosed. It’s got to do with his gastrointestinal issues. I think they’re on the right track.”
McPherson, the younger brother of Cincinnati Bengals kicker Evan McPherson, was a semifinalist for the Lou Groza Award in 2023 after shooting 100% on both field goals (13 of 13) and points after touchdowns (40 of 40). He was rated as the No. 1 kicker in the 2022 class by the 247Sports Composite.
Auburn is otherwise mostly healthy and is about a month away from preseason practice, Freeze said. Redshirt freshman cornerback Tyler Scott, who is out for the entire 2024 season with an ACL injury, is the only player currently expected to miss the game. Offensive lineman Tate Johnson is undergoing minor surgery but Freeze expects him to be ready in August.
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Richard Silva is an Auburn University sports reporter for the Montgomery Advertiser. He can be reached by email at rsilva@gannett.com or on Twitter X (formerly Twitter) @rich_silva18.