AUBURN, Ala. – After a perfect freshman season on the Plains, Auburn sophomore Alex McPherson is one of 30 players on the preseason watch list for the 2024 Lou Groza Collegiate Place-Kicker Award, the Palm Beach County Sports Commission announced Friday.
McPherson did not miss a kick for Auburn in 2023, going 13-for-13 on field goals and 40-for-40 on extra points.
At SEC Media Days, he earned in July, he earned two preseason honors from media members who cover the Southeastern Conference, making the First-Team as kickoff specialist and Third-Team as a placekicker.
McPherson seeks to rebound from an offseason illness that prevented him from working out over the summer.
“Getting better, thankfully,” Auburn head coach Hugh Freeze said Thursday before the Tigers’ first preseason practice. “Not clear to participate just yet, but he's with us here. He was in our meetings last night and is in the 120 (players), so we're hopeful that he'll be back with us soon. Seems to be making some progression.”
Presented by the Orange Bowl, the 33rd annual Lou Groza Award will recognize three finalists during a celebration in Palm Beach County, culminating with a gala awards banquet Dec. 9 in West Palm Beach, Florida.
The award is named for National Football League Hall of Fame kicker Lou “The Toe” Groza, who played 21 seasons with the Cleveland Browns. Groza won four NFL championships with Cleveland and was named NFL Player of the Year in 1954. Although an All-Pro offensive lineman as well, Groza ushered in the notion that there should be a place on an NFL roster for a kicker.
Jeff Shearer is a Senior Writer at AuburnTigers.com. Follow him on Twitter: @jeff_shearer