In a conference like the SEC, where every game is highly competitive, special teams are important.

It’s often times the difference in a close game.

For Auburn, looking at Alex McPherson’s perfect field goal percentage in 2023 would lead you to believe the Tigers owned that phase of the game last season.

They did, in some respects.

McPherson was one of two kickers in the country to be perfect on the season and Auburn ranked 20th in the country in net punting.

In coverage, though, Auburn wasn’t perfect.

The Tigers ranked 103rd in opponent kick return yardage per return. Kick coverage is an area Auburn has made a point to improve going into 2024.

“Tanner [Burns] thinks we’re leaps and bounds better, going to be leaps and bounds better on all of our coverage teams because of that young depth,” head coach Hugh Freeze said Friday.

“We have more guys that can run, and they’re bigger and stronger, and that’s what you need on some of these coverage units especially,” Freeze continued.

The athletes on the coverage units are important, according to Freeze, and he believes Auburn improved there going into the season.

“You need bigger, fresher, faster bodies, and it kind of feels like we’ve improved that,” Freeze said.

Auburn still has questions in other aspects of special teams going into the season. The most notable concern is McPherson’s health.

McPherson has yet to practice during fall camp, still recovering from a gastrointestinal illness. While not giving a timetable for his return, Freeze sounded upbeat about McPherson’s progress on Friday.

“Alex is getting better. He’s gaining weight and feeling better every day,” Freeze said.

With McPherson out, freshman Towns McGough has handled kicking duties, someone Freeze has expressed confidence in.

The other question is around who will return kicks and punts for Auburn this season.

Freeze said he expects running back Jeremiah Cobb to be the primary kick returner, but there’s more of an ongoing battle for the punt returner role.

“You look at Malcolm Simmons, Bryce [Cain], Dre Lambert–Smith are all pretty solid at the punt return game,” Freeze said.

Simmons, a freshman wide receiver, has already drawn high praise for his speed.

“We tossed Malcolm a little toss sweep in the first little red zone lockout competition from the 25-yard line and he looked like an absolute jet,” Freeze said. “We didn’t have that type of weapon last year.”