Auburn kicker Alex McPherson has lived through one of the most difficult stretches any college athlete could endure. Once the picture of consistency, going a perfect 13-for-13 on field goals and 40-for-40 on PATs as a freshman in 2023, McPherson’s career was suddenly derailed by a severe health scare that cost him almost all of the 2024 season.
Now, after losing over 50 pounds and undergoing major surgery, McPherson is back on the field, slowly working toward becoming the kicker who once made headlines for never missing.
Alex McPherson Discusses His Health Battle
McPherson’s health concerns first surfaced during the early weeks of 2024 when he began experiencing severe gastrointestinal issues. At first, he brushed them off as something minor. ESPN’s Jen Lada tells his story on College GameDay with Alex, revealing his ordeals.
“That week, I was just really sick. I would run to the bathroom 15, 20 times a day. I thought I just had the flu, thought I had a stomach bug or something going on. My weight was down. I lost 20 pounds,” McPherson explained, recalling the initial signs that something was seriously wrong.
Doctors eventually diagnosed him with ulcerative colitis, an autoimmune disease that attacks the lining of the large intestine. Despite treatment, his condition worsened, and by July, he required hospitalization.
He described just how brutal those months became: “I started throwing up like every day for two months and I’d lost 55 pounds at that point. I was 110 pounds when I got admitted to the hospital… Why am I having to go through this? I would be scared to drive from here home because I didn’t know if I would make it to the bathroom. And that’s not how you need to live,” said McPherson.
Saturday, @JenLada shares the incredible comeback story of @AuburnFootball kicker Alex McPherson during @CollegeGameDay
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By December, doctors determined surgery was necessary. McPherson underwent a six-hour procedure to remove his large intestine, which resulted in an ileostomy. His small intestine was brought outside of his body and connected to an ostomy bag, a life-altering change for any young athlete.
Through it all, McPherson never lost sight of football, “The whole entire time I was going through this, I thought, I’m getting better so I can play football again… Towards the end of the spring, I started hitting the ball like I used to. It was really exciting, and so I was so pumped… I was so excited for the season. But I lost 30 pounds, which is kind of disappointing, he shared.
McPherson Back on the Field, a Comeback with Enough Grit
Fast-forward to the fall of 2025, and McPherson has made a remarkable return. Though still working his way back to full strength, he has been steady in his opportunities this season. The kicker has gone 15-for-15 on extra points and 2-for-2 on field goals, including a 34-yarder in Auburn’s 31-15 win over South Alabama.
McPherson’s comeback is unfolding just as Auburn faces one of its toughest tests of the season, an SEC opener against Oklahoma. Both teams are unbeaten heading into Saturday’s clash, and the pressure will be immense in Norman.
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For McPherson, the game represents more than a test of accuracy. It’s proof of resilience, persistence, and fighting back from a setback that might have ended his career.
The Tigers will need every point they can get against the Sooners. And for McPherson, each kick isn’t just about scoring, and it’s about reminding Auburn fans, his teammates, and himself that he’s still here, still competing, and still writing one of the most remarkable comeback stories in college football.