Chris Murray, a fifth-year senior linebacker at Auburn, is stepping up as a vital player after teammate JJ Faulk was injured during preseason camp. With the season opener against Baylor set for September 5, Murray is vying for a prominent role alongside other contenders such as Da'Shawn Womack and Jared Smith.
Auburn's coach Alex Golesh has praised 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 exceptional progress, stating that he is competing for one of the two starting spots and that the upcoming days are crucial 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 the Auburn team prior to the 2025 season, where he tallied 15 tackles, 3.5 sacks, and 3.5 tackles for loss.
In March, the NCAA allowed him a sixth year of eligibility, enabling him to join the team late in the spring practice period.
Reflecting on his journey, Murray mentioned the advantage of his experience, stating that it allows him to mentor younger players while also advancing his own career. As Auburn gears up for its upcoming scrimmage, the team is working to finalize its lineup for the season opener against Baylor.
