Auburn’s strong tradition of producing top-notch kickers remains intact with the latest addition of All-American talent, Towns McGough. McGough, a standout from Auburn High in Alabama, recently made the switch from soccer to football, showcasing remarkable prowess on the field.
This legacy of exceptional kickers at Auburn dates back over a decade, with notable names like Cody Parkey. The university has earned the moniker “KickerU,” a reputation set to persist as McGough, ranked as the nation’s third-best kicker by Kohl’s Kicking Camp, officially joins the Tigers.
While Ole Miss extended a scholarship offer to McGough, Auburn secured him as a preferred walk-on. Despite not being on scholarship, McGough is expected to receive a lucrative NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) deal. Auburn High head coach Keith Etheredge lauds McGough as a one-of-a-kind individual, describing him as a stellar student with a perfect 4.0 GPA and an extraordinary talent on the field. Etheredge envisions McGough making a significant impact at the professional level if he maintains his current trajectory.
McGough’s journey to becoming a football kicker is relatively recent, having transitioned from soccer just two years ago. Despite this, his senior year accomplishments are impressive, earning him the title of MaxPreps All-American and a spot in the prestigious Under Armour All-American Game. Despite an injury to his kicking leg during practice for the Alabama-Mississippi All-Star Classic, McGough displayed resilience by kicking with his non-dominant foot during warmups and the actual game.
During his senior season, McGough showcased remarkable accuracy, converting 19 of 22 field goal attempts, including successful kicks from distances as far as 60 yards. His kickoffs averaged an impressive 73 yards. As Alex McPherson, the current kicker, approaches his redshirt sophomore season in 2024, there is speculation about a potential NFL Draft declaration. Auburn has a track record of sending kickers to the NFL, including Anders Carlson, Daniel Carlson, and Cody Parkey.
The responsibility now falls on Special Teams Coordinator Tanner Burns, who hopes McPherson continues the streak of NFL-bound kickers, with McGough poised to follow in their successful footsteps. Auburn’s commitment to nurturing exceptional kicking talent is reaffirmed with the addition of Towns McGough to its roster.
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