Chris Murray, a fifth-year senior linebacker at Auburn, is stepping into a vital role due to an injury sustained by teammate JJ Faulk during preseason camp. As Auburn prepares for its season opener against Baylor on September 5, Murray is making a strong case for increased playing time alongside fellow candidates Da'Shawn Womack and Jared Smith.
Auburn's head coach, Alex Golesh, expressed excitement about Murray's recent performance, highlighting his impressive recovery after missing the initial week and a half of camp due to injury. Golesh noted that Murray has been performing exceptionally well and is competing for one of the two starting linebacker positions, with the upcoming days being critical for him.
Murray's football career started 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 before the 2025 season, where he recorded 15 tackles, 3.5 sacks, and 3.5 tackles for loss in his inaugural year with the Tigers.
In March, he received a waiver from the NCAA, granting him a sixth year of eligibility, which allowed him to join the team late in the spring practice period.
Reflecting on his journey, Murray mentioned that being an older player has been a significant advantage, providing him with more experience to guide younger teammates. As Auburn gears up for its next scrimmage, the team is looking to finalize its lineup for the upcoming game against Baylor, with Murray's role expected to become clearer as the date approaches.
