For the first time in several seasons, the Auburn football program faced challenges with its kicking game during the 2024 season. True freshman Towns McGough unexpectedly stepped in as the starting kicker after returning starter Alex McPherson was sidelined due to health issues.
However, McGough began to struggle as the season progressed, leading Auburn to turn to former Birmingham Southern kicker Ian Vachon, who took over for the final three games. Both McGough and Vachon are slated to return this fall, along with former Southern Miss kicker Connor Gibbs, who transferred to Auburn last month.
Head coach Hugh Freeze spoke to the media this week, revealing that Alex McPherson underwent offseason surgery. While it remains uncertain whether McPherson will be able to return to action, Freeze is anticipating a healthy and competitive kicking battle as the new season approaches.
“There’s no question he’s feeling better,” Freeze said about McPherson, according to AL.com. “Hopefully we’ll have healthy bodies that’ll battle it out and see who comes out on top.”
In addition to the kicking competition, there’s also a battle brewing at quarterback for Auburn. With Payton Thorne having exhausted his eligibility, and Hank Brown, Holden Geriner, and Walker White all transferring in December, Auburn will field a completely new quarterback room this fall.
Former Oklahoma quarterback Jackson Arnold is expected to take the majority of reps and likely secure the starting position, with Tanner Bailey and Ashton Daniels serving as backups. However, freshman Deuce Knight is determined to make an impact and earn playing time.
“I believe in Deuce,” Freeze said, per Auburn Live. “The maturity he’s shown—even after we recruited him, I wasn’t fully aware of it. He’s in there studying every day. He doesn’t want to wait around to be great. He’s working hard right now to soak up every bit of knowledge he can.”