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Auburn kicker Towns McGough intends to enter transfer portal

by: Caleb Jones12/18/25CalebJ_Rivals

Auburn kicker Towns McGough intends to enter the transfer portal when it opens Jan. 2, he announced in a social media post Thursday.

McGough signed with Auburn in the 2024 class out of Auburn High School. He made his first impression in the 2024 A-Day game, converting seven field goals with a long of 58 yards. McGough struggled as a freshman, going 5-for-12 on field goal attempts.

In his sophomore season, McGough served as the kickoff specialist for the first two games. He missed his only field goal attempt of the season against Ball State.

WHAT IT MEANS FOR AUBURN

Once Alex McPherson regained strength and Connor Gibbs took over kickoff duties, McGough’s playing time drastically diminished.

McGough did not appear in the final 10 games of the 2025 season. It’s not shocking to see McGough intend to enter the transfer portal for that reason. Meanwhile, Auburn appears to be in line to return its special teams unit from last season. Both McPherson and Gibbs are eligible to return.

Departure impact: Minimal

GOLESH ON TRANSFER PORTAL, ROSTER RETENTION

Auburn head coach Alex Golesh, who arrived on campus Nov. 30, spoke in his introductory press conference Dec. 1 on the transfer portal and roster retention.

“I think the one thing that doesn’t change is this: You have to be able to identify the immediate roster and figure out really, really quickly who fits,” Golesh said. “And by fits, I don’t mean offensively, defensively or special teams, but truly, who wants to be there. Who’s at least got a chance to buy into what you’re doing, understanding that when you come into a situation where the success wasn’t flowing, change has to be made.”

He also touched on the resources available to Auburn in order to recruit and retain talent.

“The investment that has been made from the administration to go and attack every single part of the recruiting is phenomenal,” said Golesh. “Nothing short of phenomenal. We’ve got every resource known to man right here to be able to go attract, recruit, retain and develop the best talent there is in the entire country.”