Auburn's fifth-year senior outside linebacker Chris Murray is stepping into a crucial role following an injury to teammate JJ Faulk during preseason camp. With the season opener against Baylor approaching, Murray is making a compelling case for increased playing time alongside candidates Da'Shawn Womack and Jared Smith.
Auburn head coach Alex Golesh expressed enthusiasm about Murray's performance, noting that after missing the first week and a half of camp, he has shown remarkable improvement in the last week. "He's been phenomenal here the last week, and we've eased him in just simply trying to make sure he's 100%. He's 100% now," Golesh stated, highlighting Murray's maturity and steady presence on the field.
Murray began his collegiate career at TCU in 2021, spending two seasons there before transferring to Sam Houston State for the 2023 and 2024 seasons. He joined Auburn prior to the 2025 season, where he recorded 15 tackles, 3.5 sacks, and 3.5 tackles for loss.
After receiving NCAA approval for a sixth year of eligibility in March, he joined the Tigers late in the spring practice period.
Reflecting on his experience, Murray emphasized the importance of mentoring younger players. "I think the biggest blessing for me is that I'm an older guy. I'm a little more experienced with certain things," he said. He is focused on helping younger teammates, including Jared Smith, as they prepare for the upcoming season.
