Auburn University kicker Alex McPherson has completed one of college football’s most remarkable comebacks, returning from a serious battle with ulcerative colitis to deliver a game-winning field goal against the nation’s top-ranked team.
On Saturday, October 17, 2026, McPherson kicked a 34-yard field goal as time expired to lift the Auburn Tigers to a stunning 27–24 victory over No. 1 Georgia in Athens.
For most college kickers, a winning field goal against a nationally ranked opponent would be a career-defining moment.
For McPherson, the achievement carried a much deeper meaning.
Just two years earlier, he had been hospitalized while suffering from a severe inflammatory bowel disease that caused dramatic weight loss, interrupted his football career and eventually required major surgery.
At one point, his weight dropped to approximately 110 pounds.
His future as a college athlete became uncertain as he underwent treatment and worked toward recovery.
Now, the Auburn kicker’s return to the field has become a story about perseverance, medical treatment, faith and the determination to reclaim an important part of his life.
What Illness Did Alex McPherson Have?
Alex McPherson was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis, a chronic inflammatory bowel disease that affects the lining of the large intestine.
According to Auburn University’s athletics department, his symptoms began in December 2023.
A colonoscopy in April 2024 confirmed the diagnosis.
The condition can cause abdominal pain, diarrhea, bleeding, fatigue and weight loss.
Symptoms vary significantly between patients, and severe cases may require hospitalization or surgery.
For McPherson, the disease became especially serious.
His health deteriorated during 2024, preventing him from participating in football as he had previously.
He was hospitalized in late July, and his weight fell dramatically.
The illness eventually required surgery to remove his large intestine.
Although that procedure represented a major change in his life, it also helped him move toward recovery and a return to competitive football.
Alex McPherson’s Weight Loss During His Illness
One of the most alarming aspects of McPherson’s health crisis was the amount of weight he lost.
Auburn’s official reporting states that he lost approximately 55 pounds, dropping to about 110 pounds.
The loss was particularly significant for an athlete whose position requires strength, stability, balance and consistent physical movement.
College kickers depend on conditioning and muscle coordination to generate power and accuracy.
A serious illness that affects nutrition, hydration and overall strength can make those responsibilities much more difficult.
McPherson’s physical condition became so challenging that ordinary training and football preparation were no longer his immediate priorities.
Instead, he faced an extended period focused on medical care and regaining his health.
His experience illustrated that serious inflammatory bowel disease can have consequences extending far beyond digestive symptoms.
Why Did Alex McPherson Need Surgery?
McPherson underwent surgery in late 2024 to remove his colon after his ulcerative colitis became severe.
A colectomy, the medical term for removing part or all of the colon, may be necessary for some patients whose disease cannot be adequately controlled through other treatments or who develop serious complications.
The operation is a significant procedure with implications for digestion, recovery and long-term medical care.
McPherson later spoke publicly about adapting to life after surgery.
His treatment changed his physical circumstances, but it also provided a path toward regaining his strength.
He began working with medical professionals and athletic staff to determine whether a return to football was possible.
His progress required time rather than an immediate return to the field.
McPherson’s experience should not be taken to mean that every person with ulcerative colitis requires surgery.
The disease has different levels of severity, and treatment decisions depend on individual medical circumstances.
How the Illness Interrupted His Auburn Football Career
Before his health problems, McPherson had established himself as an accurate kicker for the Auburn Tigers.
A native of Fort Payne, Alabama, he arrived at Auburn with a strong football background and expectations of contributing to the program.
He had already demonstrated his ability to perform under pressure.
However, the illness that emerged in late 2023 significantly disrupted his development.
During the 2024 season, he appeared in only one game because of the gastrointestinal problems and their effect on his physical condition.
As other players continued competing, McPherson faced medical appointments, treatment and the uncertainty of whether he would regain enough strength to return.
The interruption was particularly difficult because his football career had been progressing positively.
Yet the priorities surrounding him had changed.
His immediate challenge was no longer making a field goal or helping Auburn win a game.
It was recovering from an illness that had profoundly affected his health.
The Road Back to Football
Following surgery, McPherson gradually began rebuilding his strength and conditioning.
His recovery required patience and ongoing adaptation.
A return to college football meant more than being medically stable.
He also needed to regain the physical coordination, leg strength and confidence necessary to kick successfully under game conditions.
The process involved work with Auburn’s athletic staff and medical support.
By 2025, he was able to return to regular competition.
McPherson appeared in all 12 games that season, converting 20 of 23 field-goal attempts and all 35 of his extra-point attempts.
His 87.0 percent field-goal success rate ranked among the best in the Southeastern Conference.
For a player who had lost so much weight and spent months battling serious illness, those numbers represented a substantial achievement.
The comeback demonstrated that his football ability remained intact despite the interruption.
Alex McPherson’s Emotional 2025 Season
McPherson’s return was not entirely without difficulties.
Like other kickers, he faced moments of pressure and disappointment.
But one of the defining performances of his comeback came on October 25, 2025, when Auburn defeated Arkansas 33–24.
During that game, he converted all six of his field-goal attempts.
The performance tied a school and Southeastern Conference single-game record.
It also earned him recognition as the SEC Special Teams Player of the Week.
For McPherson, the Arkansas game provided a powerful reminder of how far he had progressed since the worst period of his illness.
Just months earlier, playing a full college football season had appeared uncertain.
Now he was contributing directly to an important conference victory.
His return also inspired supporters who had followed his recovery and others facing serious health challenges.
Auburn Kicker Receives National Courage Award
McPherson’s comeback earned recognition beyond Auburn University.
In December 2025, the Football Writers Association of America announced that he had received its Courage Award.
The honor recognized his perseverance through serious illness and the determination involved in returning to football.
McPherson became the first player from the Southeastern Conference to earn the award.
The recognition acknowledged more than statistical performance.
It reflected the physical, emotional and personal challenges associated with recovering from major surgery and returning to the demands of college athletics.
Auburn’s official announcement emphasized the significance of his journey.
The award also provided an opportunity to raise awareness about the experiences of athletes living with serious medical conditions.
Auburn’s Alex McPherson Returns Stronger in 2026
By the 2026 season, McPherson had continued his recovery and was again an important member of Auburn’s football team.
At SEC Football Kickoff Media Days in July, he spoke publicly about his progress and the satisfaction of returning to normal activities.
He also discussed how his experiences had changed his perspective on football and life.
Auburn’s official feature published in July documented his journey through illness, surgery and rehabilitation.
The university highlighted the encouragement his recovery had provided to fans, including young people facing their own medical challenges.
His participation in SEC Media Days demonstrated how far he had come from the hospitalization and severe weight loss of 2024.
Rather than being defined solely by illness, McPherson had returned to the public spotlight as an active and accomplished college football player.
Game-Winning Kick Against No. 1 Georgia
McPherson’s comeback reached another memorable moment on October 17, 2026.
Auburn faced top-ranked Georgia in Athens, entering a game in which the Bulldogs were considered a formidable opponent.
The matchup developed into a close contest.
With the score tied late, Auburn moved into position for a final field-goal attempt.
McPherson stepped onto the field with an opportunity to secure the victory.
He converted the 34-yard attempt as time expired.
Auburn won 27–24, delivering one of the most notable upsets of the college football season.
The kick completed a moment that few could have predicted during his health crisis two years earlier.
From severe illness and major surgery to a game-winning field goal against the country’s No. 1 team, McPherson’s career had taken an extraordinary turn.
For Auburn supporters, the winning kick was a sporting triumph.
For people familiar with his medical journey, it also represented a significant personal milestone.
What Is Ulcerative Colitis?
Ulcerative colitis is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease that causes inflammation and ulcers in the colon and rectum.
The condition differs from ordinary temporary digestive illness.
It can involve periods when symptoms become more severe and other periods when they improve.
Common symptoms may include persistent diarrhea, abdominal discomfort, rectal bleeding, fatigue and unintended weight loss.
Some patients can manage the condition with medication and regular medical monitoring.
Others experience complications requiring hospitalization or surgery.
The disease is not contagious.
Although ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease are both inflammatory bowel diseases, they are distinct conditions with different patterns of inflammation.
In severe ulcerative colitis, removal of the colon may be necessary when treatment is unsuccessful or serious complications develop.
McPherson’s experience demonstrates the potential severity of the disease, but it does not predict the outcome for other patients.
How Has Alex McPherson Spoken About His Recovery?
McPherson has publicly discussed the role of his faith, family and support system during his recovery.
In an interview published by Auburn in July 2026, he reflected on the challenges of being unable to play and the emotional significance of returning.
He has also spoken about the experience on the Entrusted Podcast, describing the medical difficulties he faced and the way the illness changed his perspective.
Rather than focusing exclusively on football success, he has discussed the importance of identity and maintaining purpose during difficult circumstances.
His account provides insight into the psychological and personal effects of a prolonged health crisis.
For young athletes accustomed to regular competition, an unexpected medical interruption can be especially challenging.
McPherson’s story reflects the importance of having support during that uncertainty.
Is Alex McPherson Healthy Now?
As of October 17, 2026, McPherson has returned to active college football competition and continues to perform at a high level.
His game-winning field goal against Georgia provides clear evidence that he has regained the ability to compete successfully.
However, returning to football does not necessarily mean that every medical consequence of his illness and surgery has disappeared.
Ulcerative colitis is a serious disease, and surgery can require ongoing care and lifestyle adaptation.
McPherson’s precise current medical status remains a matter for him and his healthcare providers.
The confirmed public record shows that he has made a successful athletic comeback after undergoing treatment for a severe illness.
It would be inaccurate to claim that surgery simply erased every health challenge or that his experience represents a universal recovery pathway.
Why Alex McPherson’s Story Matters Beyond Football
McPherson’s journey has attracted attention because it combines elite athletic achievement with the experience of a serious chronic illness.
His illness forced him to confront uncertainty about his health and future.
After undergoing major surgery, he worked to return to an activity that had been central to his identity.
His 2025 performances established that the comeback was genuine.
His 2026 game-winning kick against Georgia added a particularly memorable chapter.
For people living with inflammatory bowel disease, his story offers an example of an individual adapting to significant medical challenges.
It also provides an opportunity to discuss a condition that is not always visible to the public.
At the same time, his recovery should be understood as an individual medical journey rather than a prediction of what every patient can achieve.
Alex McPherson’s Remarkable Journey Continues
Alex McPherson’s return from severe ulcerative colitis has become one of the most compelling personal stories in college football.
From a diagnosis in 2024 and dramatic weight loss to colon-removal surgery and a gradual recovery, he faced challenges that extended far beyond the football field.
He returned in 2025, made 20 field goals and earned national recognition for his courage.
Then, on October 17, 2026, he stepped onto the field in Athens and converted a 34-yard kick that gave Auburn a 27–24 victory over No. 1 Georgia.
The moment brought his comeback into sharp focus.
McPherson’s story is not simply about returning to sport.
It is about managing a serious illness, adapting to profound physical changes and continuing to pursue meaningful goals.
For Auburn supporters and college football fans, the winning kick will be remembered as a remarkable play.
For McPherson, it also stands as another milestone in a recovery journey that once placed his entire athletic future in doubt.
Disclaimer
This article is based on Auburn University’s official athletics reporting, the Football Writers Association of America’s recognition of McPherson’s comeback and established sports coverage available through October 17, 2026. His ulcerative colitis diagnosis, serious weight loss, surgery and return to football are publicly documented. His specific ongoing medical condition and treatment arrangements are private. This article provides general background on ulcerative colitis and should not be interpreted as medical advice or as evidence that every patient will experience a similar outcome.