Chris Murray, a fifth-year senior linebacker for Auburn, is positioning himself as an important player due to an injury sustained by teammate JJ Faulk during preseason camp. The season opener against Baylor is set for September 5, and Murray is vying for significant playing time alongside other contenders such as Da'Shawn Womack and Jared Smith.
Auburn's coach Alex Golesh has praised Murray's recent performance, noting his impressive recovery after missing the initial week and a half of camp because of injury. Golesh remarked that Murray has been outstanding in practice and is competing for one of the two starting spots, with the next couple of days being 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 2023 and 2024. He joined Auburn prior to the 2025 season, where he recorded a total of 15 tackles, including 3.5 sacks and 3.5 tackles for loss in his first year with the Tigers.
In March, he received a waiver from the NCAA that granted him a sixth year of eligibility, enabling him to join the team late in the spring practice period.
Reflecting on his experiences, Murray noted that his age and experience allow him to mentor younger players effectively. As Auburn gears up for its upcoming scrimmage, the team is finalizing its lineup for the season opener against Baylor, with more information about Murray's role expected as the game date approaches.
