Sam Houston State transfer DL Chris Murray commits to Auburn

Former Sam Houston State defensive lineman Chris Murray will transfer to play for Auburn in 2025, On3’s Pete Nakos reported. He spent the past three seasons with the Bearkats and will have one year of eligibility remaining.

Murray had a career year in 2024 to earn first team All-Conference USA honors. He finished with 35 total tackles (11.5 for loss), 5.5 sacks and a pair of forced fumbles.

As a recruit, Murray was a four-star prospect out of Hirschi High School in Wichita Fall, Texas. He ranked as the No. 297 overall player and No. 31 edge rusher in the 2021 cycle according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.

Murray committed to TCU out of high school but spent only one season with the Horned Frogs, taking a redshirt before transferring to Sam Houston State. He would go on to appear in 26 total games across the past three seasons with the Bearkats.

Murray’s performance this past season helped him to rank as the No. 536 overall player and No. 36 defensive lineman according to On3’s Transfer Portal Player Rankings. He is the 15th overall player and the second defensive lineman that Auburn has added through the portal so far.

The Tigers are coming off of a 5-7 finish this past season in the second year under coach Hugh Freeze. That explains why they’ve been so active in the portal, coming in ranked No. 6 in On3’s Transfer Portal Team Rankings.

The portal officially opened on Monday, Dec. 9, 2024 and closed on Dec. 28. However, players on teams still playing in the postseason will get an additional five-day window to enter the portal after their seasons end.

More than 2,800 FBS scholarship players entered their names into the NCAA’s transfer database during the 2023-24 school year. Removing those who withdrew or went pro, the final total sat at 2,707 transfers.

So far this cycle, 2,463 players have entered the transfer portal with 940 of those already having committed to new schools.

To keep up with the latest players on the move, check out On3’s Transfer Portal wire.

The On3 Transfer Portal Instagram account and Twitter account are excellent resources to stay up to date with the latest moves.