McPherson made the announcement in a heartfelt social media post late Thursday evening. “Auburn has been home to me, and I’m incredibly grateful for every opportunity I’ve had to wear the orange and blue,” he wrote. “After thoughtful conversations with my family and much prayer, I’ve decided to enter the transfer portal and explore new opportunities for the next chapter of my journey.”

The news comes as a major surprise, as McPherson was widely expected to be a cornerstone of Auburn’s special teams unit for the upcoming season. Known for his powerful leg and calm under pressure, McPherson hit 17 of 19 field goals last season and was perfect on extra points, earning All-SEC recognition and national attention for his consistency.

Head coach Hugh Freeze, who has been aggressively rebuilding the Auburn program and aiming for a return to national prominence, expressed his shock at the decision. “Alex is an incredible talent and an even better young man,” Freeze said in a statement Friday morning. “We were looking forward to having him be a major part of our team this season, but we respect his decision and support him fully. He’ll be successful wherever he goes.”

McPherson’s departure leaves a significant hole in Auburn’s roster and raises questions about who will take over kicking duties in the fall. As Freeze works to retool both the offense and defense, the loss of a reliable special teams weapon adds another challenge to the mix.

While his next destination is yet unknown, McPherson will undoubtedly be one of the most sought-after kickers in the portal. His proven performance in one of college football’s toughest conferences makes him a top-tier addition for any program in need of a game-changing specialist.

For Auburn fans, it’s a tough goodbye—but one that will be closely watched as McPherson charts the next chapter in his football career.