Chris Murray, a fifth-year senior linebacker for Auburn, is stepping up as a vital player due to an injury to teammate JJ Faulk during preseason camp. With the season opener against Baylor set for September 5, Murray is making a compelling case for increased playing time alongside other contenders like Da'Shawn Womack and Jared Smith.
Auburn's head coach, Alex Golesh, shared his excitement regarding Murray's recent performance, highlighting his impressive recovery after missing the initial week and a half of camp due to injury. Golesh remarked on Murray's progress, stating that he has been outstanding recently and is in contention to secure one of the two starting spots, with the next couple of days being crucial for him.
Murray's football career commenced at TCU in 2021, where he played for two seasons before moving to Sam Houston State for the 2023 and 2024 seasons. He joined Auburn ahead of the 2025 season, where he recorded 15 tackles, 3.5 sacks, and 3.5 tackles for loss in his first year.
In March, the NCAA approved a waiver for him, granting a sixth year of eligibility and allowing him to join the team late in the spring practice period.
Reflecting on his journey, Murray mentioned that being older has provided him with valuable experience, enabling him to guide younger teammates on how to navigate the game. As Auburn prepares for its upcoming scrimmage, the team is working to finalize its lineup for the opener against Baylor, with more information about Murray's contributions expected to surface as the game approaches.
