The 2024 season could best be described as one of hardship and frustration for Auburn kicker Alex McPherson.

He made just one appearance all year due to a lingering gastrointestinal illness, which was eventually diagnosed as ulcerative colitis. It caused his weight to fluctuate wildly, at one point weighing just 110 pounds.

Now, after having surgery in December, McPherson is back kicking and hopes to recreate the success he had with the Tigers earlier in his career.

“I’m so pumped to finally get back on the practice field, get back to doing what I love,“ McPherson told reporters Wednesday. ”Just being around the guys has been a blast, just being back for spring practice. All that hard work and all the time we spent trying to figure things out, now it’s finally paying off.”

McPherson said he’s feeling “probably 90% right now,” a long way from where he was during the season. When he made his lone appearance against Kentucky in late October, McPherson said he felt good going into the week, but that’s when he began losing weight again.

He played the game at 135 pounds, describing himself as feeling around 65% at the time of the game.

“I’m glad I got in the game and got to play,” McPherson said. “Looking back, I probably shouldn’t have.”

McPherson had surgery on Dec. 20, a procedure in which his entire large intestine was removed. The doctors told him he could play football again with an ostomy bag, something he has now.

“It changed my life. I wouldn’t be here or playing football again without the surgery,” McPherson said. “I think it was definitely the right decision for me and my family. I’m glad I did it.”

With McPherson now back in the fold, Auburn has healthy competition at kicker going into the 2025 season. Towns McGough and Ian Vachon both return from last season and Auburn added former Southern Miss kicker Connor Gibbs out of the transfer portal.

“I think it has made all of us better just to have the healthy competition we’ve had,” McPherson said. “It has helped me progress faster than I probably would have without getting back into the competitive mindset. It has been a lot of help.”

Peter Rauterkus covers Auburn sports for AL.com. You can follow him on X at @peter_rauterkus or email him at [email protected]m