Auburn's fifth-year senior Chris Murray is stepping up as a significant contributor on the defensive line after outside linebacker JJ Faulk sustained a shoulder injury during preseason camp. With the season opener against Baylor approaching, Murray is making a strong 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 he has fully recovered after missing the first week and a half of camp. "He’s been phenomenal here the last week," Golesh stated, highlighting Murray's maturity and steady presence as he competes for a starting position.
Murray's football journey began at TCU in 2021, where he played for two seasons before transferring to Sam Houston State for 2023 and 2024. He joined Auburn ahead of the 2025 season, where he recorded 15 tackles, 3.5 sacks, and 3.5 tackles for loss.
Earlier this year, the NCAA granted him a waiver for a sixth year of eligibility, allowing him to join the Tigers during spring practice.
In a recent practice, Murray reflected on his experience, stating, "I think the biggest blessing for me is that I'm an older guy. I'm a little more experienced with certain things." He emphasized the importance of mentoring younger players on the team, including Jared Smith, whom he trained with last year.
