Chris Murray’s path back to Auburn has been a long one, but the fifth-year senior is making the most of it at exactly the right time.
With outside linebacker JJ Faulk sidelined by a shoulder injury in preseason camp, Murray has stepped into a bigger role and put himself squarely in the mix for playing time as Auburn gets ready for Baylor. Da’Shawn Womack and Jared Smith are still among the candidates to start on the edge in the season opener, but Murray has clearly forced his way into the conversation.
Auburn coach Alex Golesh said after the team’s second scrimmage that Murray’s return has taken some careful handling, but the payoff has been obvious.
“He missed the first week and a half of camp, and we’ve slowly (brought him back in. 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. I’ve been really, really excited about (Chris Murray),” Auburn coach Alex Golesh said after the team’s second scrimmage of camp.
Golesh added that Murray has brought exactly what you’d expect from a veteran who has bounced around and seen plenty of football.
“He brings a maturity. He brings some veteran-ness there, and he’s been steady.
He’s competing to be one of the two, and these next two days are really, really big for him. We’ve really cross-trained a bunch of those guys on that defensive line.”
Murray’s route to Auburn has been anything but direct. He began at TCU in 2021, spent two seasons there, then played the 2023 and 2024 seasons at Sam Houston State. He arrived at Auburn before the 2025 campaign and produced 15 tackles, 3.5 sacks and 3.5 tackles for loss.
His eligibility situation was cleared in March when the NCAA approved his waiver for a sixth year, and he joined the Tigers late in spring practice.
For Murray, the appeal of being back in Auburn is tied to both his own development and what he can pass along to younger players around him.
“I think the biggest blessing for me is that I’m an older guy. I’m a little more experienced with certain things,” Murray said on Tuesday after practice.
“And then I can teach these young guys how to move, how to maneuver. I got Jared (Smith) with me.
I’ve been with Jared last year. It’s important for me because we had Keyron (Crawford) here last year.
I was a guy with Keyron. Not necessarily saying the spotlight is going to be on me, but I can help the young guys to bring them up as well and help my career.
So that was the important thing for me.”
Auburn finishes its mock game week with a team scrimmage on Saturday before turning to Baylor. The season opener is set for Saturday, Sept. 5.
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