In the latest developments from Auburn football’s fall camp, there has been a surprising addition to the practice regimen under head coach Hugh Freeze. While Freeze has emphasized the importance of player safety and has scaled back the intensity of scrimmages, defensive coordinator DJ Durkin has introduced a distinctive requirement aimed at boosting team morale and energy.
Linebacker Eugene Asante disclosed that Durkin has mandated that players celebrate both personal and teammates’ successes during practice sessions. This focus on celebration is so central to Durkin’s approach that he interrupts film reviews to address instances where celebrations were absent and imposes penalties for lack of enthusiasm.
Asante noted Durkin’s keen observation, saying, “Durkin closely monitors whether players are celebrating or not. If they aren’t, they face penalties… It’s all about elevating our energy and effort to another level,” as reported by Auburn Undercover.
On the health front, Auburn’s sophomore kicker Alex McPherson has been dealing with significant health issues related to a gastrointestinal problem, which led to considerable weight loss and temporarily kept him out of practice. Despite these challenges, McPherson stayed engaged with the team by attending meetings and maintaining a positive outlook.
Special teams coordinator Tanner Burns shared an encouraging update regarding McPherson’s condition. He is steadily recovering, having regained weight and resumed kicking practice. McPherson is now back to weighing over 140 pounds and is regaining his previous level of fitness and enthusiasm.
“It was a slow process, but Alex is now showing significant improvement,” Burns commented. “He’s back to kicking and regaining his usual strength, and his upbeat personality is becoming more evident every day.”
With the season on the horizon, Auburn football’s collective spirit, bolstered by Durkin’s celebration-centric philosophy, and the resilience of players like McPherson, are contributing to the team’s momentum and prospects for success.
