Many of the hidden yards in a football game are found in a team’s performance on its special teams. The game-breaking return, the clutch punt, or the game-winning kick can make all the difference in who wins or loses. Auburn’s Special Teams Coordinator Jacob Bronowski feels pretty good about where his group is following the Tigers’ first full practice day in pads on Wednesday.
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“The one thing that has been constant that I am really proud of is how they are freaking competing and going about their business every day. It’s infectious to be around. It creates energy. It creates momentum,” Bronowski said.
Kicker Alex McPherson is expected to be fully healthy this season. During the 2024 season, he was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis. This limited his action on the field only going 1-2 on field goals. Last year, as McPherson worked to gain his weight and strength back, he went 20-23 on field goal, returning to the form of his first two years on the Plains.
McPherson is on this year’s Groza watchlist and was the award semifinalist in 2023. He believes he can make from 60+ this year. Something Coach Bronowski echoed to Auburn Undercover Wednesday.
Bronowski said, “Depending on the day it might be a little longer. He has earned that right. I’m a confident coach. I’m confident because of him.”
Auburn has another veteran starting at punter. Senior Hudson Kaak led the SEC in punts resulting in fair catches last year. Bronowski talked about some of the things Kaak has worked on to take his game to another level.
“There’s more pop in his leg. Ball speed has been up. His locations have been up where we need them to be. I’m really excited where he is at right now,” Bronowski said.
He feels these traits can help Kaak flip the field when asked to do so on game days. Special teams, however, is much more than kicking the ball. Bronowski told the media about how kick and punt return units could look this season.
“Christian Neptune has done a really nice job. He’s developed a lot of consistency. He’s earned that because of the way he’s worked. He’s doing a nice job of communicating,” Bronowski said. “Rayshawn Pleasant. Absolutely. He’s a stud back there. The guys know that which is huge.”
There are also a handful of young guys who are battling to earn a spot on one of those kicking units. Bronowski pointed out one of them that has stood out so far in camp.
“Number one is Scrap (Richardson). You guys will see Scrap. He’s incredible. Competitive as heck. Faster than heck. He’s just an awesome kid too. He wants to get better every single day.”
In 24 days, McPherson or Connor Gibbs’s toe will meet leather to begin the start of another Auburn Football season. What kind of season the Tigers will have in 2026 will depend, in large part, on the performance of its special teams units. The team returns to the practice field tomorrow morning before Friday’s scrimmage.
Auburn Undercover is an independent Auburn sports media company covering Auburn athletics, recruiting and insider news.
