SOUTHEASTERN CONFERENCE FOOTBALL MEDIA DAYS

July 21, 2026

Alex McPherson

Auburn Tigers

Press Conference

Q. How has it been just going through spring practice in comparison to where you were last year to where you are now going into fall camp?

ALEX MCPHERSON: It's been really fun, really exciting. Just to be back to normal and where I was. Just to have that strength back to kind of kick like I want to and like I used to.

I think I'm kicking as good as I have since before I got sick. It's just really exciting getting to do that and play with the guys to the full extent.

Q. What would you kind of estimate your range is now? I know getting your power back was kind of a big deal. You had the accuracy last year but getting back to kicking the longer-range stuff?

ALEX MCPHERSON: Yeah, I would say whatever they really need me out there for, I think I can do it at this point. We kicked yesterday before I actually got on the plane to come here, and we made a 60-yarder as a unit. So I think wherever you need me, I think at this point I'm confident in from kicking, distance-wise. And just excited to have that strength back.

Q. From a team perspective, what's been the most different about this offseason compared to other offseasons? You're on your third head coach that you've played for.

ALEX MCPHERSON: I would just say the relationship part of the team. I think we have the talent. Coach AG and the rest of the staff has really pushed the relationship piece of it.

I think we've built a great foundation for the brotherhood of this team. And I think going into this fall camp it's going to be huge for us to continue to build that and just the relationships with each other and with the coaches. Just to be able to hold one another accountable, lift one another up, things like that.

Q. Team goals are obvious, but with a kicker, it's pretty obvious, make that field goal with 5 seconds to go. How important is it to just be in that moment and then succeed?

ALEX MCPHERSON: Yeah, I mean, you're talking about a game-winner? For me a game-winner, I really try and treat it as any other kick. If it's a 45-yarder, it's the same 45-yarder I've hit since I was, like, 12 years old. And that's kind of how I treat it.

It's not any bigger than the kick I hit in the first quarter, and it's just the same kind of kick. And that's kind of how I go into it. And I just know having that strength and my confident, I'm going to be able to do it.

Q. What's been your favorite kick of your college career?

ALEX MCPHERSON: That's a tough question. I would say my favorite, I think the best kick I've had in my career was the 53-yarder against A&M in 2023. It was into the wind, which not a lot of people know, but that wind was howling. They called a timeout.

It was still blowing into my face but not as much, and I hit it really well. And to hit a 53 into the wind, that was pretty exciting for me just to give the team a little momentum going into halftime.

Q. You're tied for the fifth most field goals made in Auburn single season history. So what are you doing to hopefully move up in those record books this season?

ALEX MCPHERSON: Yeah, I'm just gonna do what they need me to do. If they call my number, I'm gonna go out there and execute to the highest level of my ability. And whether that's 25 field goals or whether that's 15, I'm just gonna go out there and do what I can to help my team.

Q. When Coach Golesh asked for you to come to media days this year, what was your reaction?

ALEX MCPHERSON: I was kind of shocked. I don't think many kickers or punters get to do this. I was honored and just so grateful to be able to come and that he would trust me to represent this team. And just a huge honor.

He told me I deserved it, and building that relationship with Coach Golesh, getting to really know him and his family over these past few months since he's gotten there, and it's such an honor -- coming from him especially. He holds the players to a high standard. And to be able to represent us here is just such an honor.

Q. You mentioned you've been through a lot of head coaches but subsequently lots of position coaches for you as well. What are Coach Bronowski's strengths? And what has it been like getting to know him, and how would you kind of assess him as a special teams coordinator?

ALEX MCPHERSON: Coach Brew is a guy that's going to get you fired up to play special teams, which I don't think many guys can do. And he's going to put the best guys out there that can make the plays. And he just brings an excitement piece to special teams.

And he's actually different. He's a specialist coach as well. He's not another positions coach. He does special teams and then he coaches us, the kickers, punters and snappers.

So having him around the whole time, it's different. It's really cool to kind of pick his brain on why we do things instead of just do it. And it's been a great transition. Coach Brew is awesome. He's fiery. But he has your back at the same time. I feel like his whole staff's kind of like that.

And he's not a kicker, so to say, but he can watch what we're doing and if I tell him what I'm working on, and he can give me feedback. And that's been a great part of his transition.

Q. Not to look too far ahead, you play Florida this year, where your brother played. What's that game going to be like in the McPherson family this year?

ALEX MCPHERSON: I think it's going to be fun. I think -- I mean, I don't know who my brother's going to cheer for, but I would say he's going to be cheering for Auburn. I would hope so.

I think it's going to be a really fun game. Getting to play them, I grew you up going to their games because he played there. And so I think it's going to be fun just to play that team. I wish it was at The Swamp. That would be awesome. But it's going to be a great home game. Great home environment. And to open up SEC play, it's going to be a great one.

Q. When you're standing at the tunnel of Jordan-Hare Stadium, you look out, the Eagles flying, everybody's screaming "War Eagle," will you have goosebumps?

ALEX MCPHERSON: Oh, yeah, without a doubt. I think you think you're ready for it every time and then you run out of the tunnel, I try to look around the entire stadium as I run them out, and there's just nothing like it, whether it's a night game or it's an 11:00 game. We have the stands packed and Auburn fans are one of a kind. It's just an unreal feeling.

Q. Let's talk about having kind of that battery at field goal, Hudson holding for you, you got familiarity with the snapper. Just how important is that for a kicker to have guys that you've been with before and have that kind of chemistry?

ALEX MCPHERSON: It's definitely really -- it's really important. I think they're kind of the unsung heroes of field goal unit. Their job is, honestly, more important than mine a lot of times, because if they mess up, people notice them. But if they do their job, nobody notices them, right?

And I'm really grateful for them. We got a new snapper this year in the spring, and he's been a great addition to our unit. And he's really fit in the group and really came on strong, and he really helps me out a lot.

If there's a good snap, good hold, I can do my job. And they've been nothing but great. And I'm just grateful for them. Yeah, so I'm excited to have, like you said, Hudson returning for holding. It's been great, been a great offseason for us.