Chris Murray, a fifth-year senior linebacker for Auburn, is emerging as a crucial player following an injury to teammate JJ Faulk during preseason camp. With the season opener against Baylor scheduled for September 5, Murray is making a strong case for significant playing time alongside other candidates like Da'Shawn Womack and Jared Smith.
Auburn coach Alex Golesh expressed enthusiasm about Murray's performance, noting that he has made a remarkable recovery after missing the first week and a half of camp due to injury. Golesh stated, "He's been phenomenal here the last week... He's competing to be one of the two, and these next two days are really, really big for him."
Murray's football journey began at TCU in 2021, where he played for two seasons before transferring to Sam Houston State for the 2023 and 2024 seasons. He joined Auburn prior to the 2025 season, recording 15 tackles, 3.5 sacks, and 3.5 tackles for loss during his first year with the Tigers.
In March, the NCAA granted him a waiver for a sixth year of eligibility, allowing him to join the team late in the spring practice period.
Reflecting on his experience, Murray stated, "I think the biggest blessing for me is that I'm an older guy. I'm a little more experienced with certain things... I can teach these young guys how to move, how to maneuver." He emphasized the importance of mentoring younger players while also focusing on his own career development.
