Portal Exodus Continues: Kicker Towns McGough Departs, But Tigers Land 4-Star OL
The revolving door of the Auburn roster continues to spin wildly. In a 24-hour span, the Tigers lost a key specialist to the transfer portal but secured a commitment from a future anchor of the offensive line.
Departing: Towns McGough
On Thursday, starting kicker Towns McGough announced he would enter the NCAA Transfer Portal. McGough, who showed flashes of brilliance with his leg strength but struggled with consistency down the stretch, leaves a massive hole in the special teams unit.
This departure adds to the growing list of significant losses, which includes freshman standout cornerback Jay Crawford. It underscores the complete roster reset currently underway under Alex Golesh.
Arriving: Bear McWhorter
However, it wasn't all bad news on the Plains. Golesh and his new offensive staff picked up a massive win on the recruiting trail, landing a commitment from 4-star offensive lineman Bear McWhorter.
McWhorter is viewed as a foundational piece for Golesh's "Veer-and-Shoot" system, which requires athletic linemen capable of playing in space. His commitment halts some of the negative momentum from recent decommitments and signals that Golesh's vision is resonating with offensive prospects.
Iron Bowl History Analysis
Special teams often decide Iron Bowls (see: Kick Six). Losing a kicker with experience is risky, but rebuilding the offensive trenches is arguably more critical for long-term success. Golesh is clearly prioritizing the build-out of his offensive infrastructure.