Kenneth Murray Jr.

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS:
Started 38-of-44 games played over three seasons, totaling 214 tackles (135 solo), two sacks, 14 tackles for loss, an interception, six passes defensed and a forced fumble.
Earned All-Rookie Team honors from Professional Football Writers of America after starting all 16 games and setting the franchise's rookie tackles record (107).

SEASON RECAPS:
2023: Started each of his 15 appearances at LB...Totaled 107 tackles (79 solo), posting seven tackles for loss, three sacks, one interception and three passes defensed...vs. Miami (Sept. 10): Recorded three tackles (two solo) in the season opener...Helped the defensive unit hold the Dolphins to a rushing average of just 3.5 yards per attempt...at Tennessee (Sept. 17): Secured 10 tackles (five solo), including one sack, in the road contest...On a fourth-down pass attempt on Tennessee's opening drive of the game, blitzed up the middle and dropped QB Ryan Tannehill for a loss of six yards...Supplied an additional tackle for loss, which occured on a fourth-quarter run stop of RB Derrick Henry, dropping Henry for a loss of three yards...at Minnesota (Sept. 24): Posted a team-high nine tackles (eight solo) in the winning effort, including one tackle for loss, as well as an interception...Thwarted Minnesota's late-game effort with a game-sealing interception at the goal line with seven seconds remaining in regulation, his first interception of the season and the second takeaway of his career...Anchored a defense that held the Vikings without a third-down conversion in the first half...vs. Las Vegas (Oct. 1): Totaled four tackles (two solo) and one pass defensed in the divisional win over the Raiders...On a critical third and-four in the third quarter, forced RB Josh Jacobs out of bounds to prevent him from securing both feet in bounds, collecting a pass defensed and forcing Las Vegas to settle for a field goal... Supported a unit that held the Raiders to just 1-for-11 on third down (9.1 pct.)...vs. Dallas (Oct. 16): Led the defense with nine tackles (eight solo), including one tackle for loss, in the Monday Night Football matchup...Stopped RB Tony Pollard for a loss of two yards late in the second quarter to collect the drop behind the line of scrimmage...at Kansas City (Oct. 22): Totaled eight tackles (seven solo), including a nine-yard, third-down sack of QB Patrick Mahomes in the third quarter...Helped the Chargers accumulate a league-high 12 third-down sacks this season...Added a three-yard drop of RB Jerick McKinnon on a pass play to tally an additional tackle for loss...vs. Chicago (Oct. 29): Totaled nine tackles (six solo) and one pass defensed in the winning effort on Sunday Night Football...In the second quarter, perfectly read a developing screen and broke up the pass before the play developed...Aided a defense that picked off two passes and forced three turnovers on downs, holding Chicago to one fourth-down conversions on four attempts...at New York Jets (Nov. 6): Amassed eight tackles (seven solo) in the primetime win on Monday Night Football... Aided a unit that held the Jets to 3-of-17 on third down (17.6 pct.), totaled a season-high eight sacks, collected three takeaways and didn't allow the Jets to score an offensive touchdown...vs. Detroit (Nov. 12): Totaled five tackles (four solo), one of which registered as a tackle for loss, in the matchup...On the Lions' final offensive possession, snuffed out a screen to RB Jahmyr Gibbs, dropping Gibbs for a loss of three yards and setting up a third-and-long... at Green Bay (Nov. 19): Led the defense with 10 tackles (six solo), his second 10-plus tackle outing of the season...Contributed to a defense that finished the game with seven tackles for loss...vs. Baltimore (Nov. 26): Totaled six tackles (five solo) in the Sunday Night Football matchup...Contributed significantly on defensed, aiding a unit that held the Ravens to just three points off of turnovers and scoreless in the fourth quarter for just the second time this season, allowing just four conversions on 13 third-down attempts (30.8 pct.)...at New England (Dec. 3): Registered seven tackles (five solo) in the road win...Helped support a unit that held an opponent scoreless for the duration of the game for the first time since 2017 (Week 7) and matched a season-best with eight tackles for loss...vs. Denver (Dec. 10): Led the defense with a season-high 12 tackles (nine solo), adding a sack...Dropped QB Russell Wilson on third down in the second quarter, collecting his third sack of the season...at Las Vegas (Dec. 14): Recorded three tackles (two solo) on Thursday Night Football...vs. Buffalo (Dec. 23): Totaled four tackles (two solo) in the primetime matchup...Aided a defense that held the Bills without a third down conversion in the first half...at Denver (Dec. 31): Inactive.

2022: Appeared in all 17 games this season and made 16 starts at LB...Collected his first sack of the season in a Week 16 win at Indianapolis Colts on Monday Night Football...vs. Las Vegas (Sept. 11): Started at LB and totaled five tackles (two solo)...at Kansas City (Sept. 15): Started at LB and compiled three tackles (one solo)... vs. Jacksonville (Sept. 25): Started at LB and tallied three tackles (two solo) and a tackle for loss...at Houston (Oct. 2): Started at LB, tallying five tackles (three solo)...Helped the Chargers defense limit the Texans to seven points in the first half, the fewest allowed by the defense in the first half since the beginning of the 2021 season...at Cleveland (Oct. 9): Started at LB and collected four total tackles (three solo)...vs. Denver (Oct. 17): Started at LB, compiling 5 total tackles (four solo)...Contributed to a defense that limited the Broncos to six points after the first quarter, including forcing two three-and-outs in overtime...vs. Seattle (Oct. 23): Recorded five tackles (five solo) and tallied his first career INT, coming off of a deflection from CB Asante Samuel Jr., returning it for 16 yards... at Atlanta (Nov. 6): Recorded six total tackles (five solo), including a tackle for loss...at San Francisco (Nov. 13): Started at LB for the eighth time of the season...Recorded five total tackles (two solo), including two tackles for loss...vs. Kansas City (Nov. 20): Received the start at LB...Played in 48 snaps before leaving the game due to injury...at Arizona (Nov. 27): Started the game at LB...Tallied seven total tackles (four solo), while also adding a pass defense...at Las Vegas (Dec. 4): Started the game at LB...Totaled three total tackles (two solo)...Recorded his first career forced fumble, jarring the ball loose from RB Josh Jacobs...vs. Miami (Dec. 11): Started at LB...Tallied a season-high seven total tackles, along with a season-high six solo tackles... Helped support a defense that allowed just three completions in the first half, tying for the fewest completions allowed in a single opening half by any defense in the NFL to that point, and just 19 net passing yards in the opening half, the fewest allowed by a Bolts defense in a single first half in the last decade...The unit allowed just three third-down conversions on 11 attempts (27.3 pct.), the best defensive third down percent allowed by the Bolts this season... vs. Tennessee (Dec. 18): Started at LB and recorded seven tackles (four solo), a tackle for loss and a pass defensed...Supported a defense that allowed just one third-down conversion in the first three quarters and didn't allow a point in the first quarter for the third-straight week...at Indianapolis (Dec. 26): Posted six tackles (five solo) and one sack for eight yards, helping the unit tally three INTs, seven sacks, and allowing zero third-down conversions on 10 attempts, becoming the eighth defense in the last 30 seasons to tally at least seven sacks and allow zero third-down conversions in a single game... Also helped the unit to not allow a first quarter point for the fourth-straight week...vs. L.A. Rams (Jan. 1): Started at LB and tallied three tackles (two solo)...Contributed to a defense that allowed 111 net passing yards, the second-fewest in a game this season...at Denver (Jan. 8): Started at LB...Recorded two tackles (one solo)... at Jacksonville (AFC Wild Card, Jan. 14): Tallied eight total tackles (two solo)...Recorded half a sack with DL Sebastian Joseph-Day...Aided a defense that did not allow a single third-down conversion in the first half, the first defense to do so in a playoff game since at least 2000, and held the Jaguars to a franchise playoff-best two-for-10 (20.0 pct.) on third down in the game... The unit collected three first-quarter INTs, the most by any team in a single playoff game in the last 30 years.

2021: Appeared in 11 games (starting six), totaling 31 tackles (17 solo), two of which registered as tackles for loss...Opened the season by pacing the defense with nine tackles (five solo) in a winning effort over Washington... Placed on Reserve/Injured (ankle) prior to Week 4, missing five games under the designation... at Washington (Sept. 12): Secured a team-high nine tackles (five solo) starting at LB in the center of the Bolts defense...Helped anchor a defensive unit that held Washington to just 133 yards passing...vs. Dallas (Sept. 19): Secured eight tackles (five solo) in the home opener... On Dallas' second series of the fourth quarter, dropped Cowboys RB Ezekiel Elliott for a loss of one yard to register his first tackle for loss of the season...at Kansas City (Sept. 26): Started at LB, notching three tackles (two solo)... Helped anchor a defensive unit that held Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes to 5.9 yards per attempt, the third-lowest output of his career, as the unit forced four Chiefs turnovers, the most takeaways by the Bolts in a single game since 2018 (Week 17)...vs. Minnesota (Nov. 14): In his first game back from injury, secured four tackles (three solo), including a tackle for loss of four yards on a screen to WR Justin Jefferson...vs. Pittsburgh (Nov. 21): Saw action on 15 defensive snaps...at Denver (Nov. 28): Logged one solo stop in pass coverage...at Cincinnati (Dec. 5): Continued to provide support defensively... vs. N.Y. Giants (Dec. 12): Contributed as both a coverage linebacker and an edge rusher in the win over New York...vs. Kansas City (Dec. 16): Saw action as an edge rusher in pass-rush support...at Houston (Dec. 26): Saw action on two tackles...at Las Vegas (Jan. 9): Finished the season slate with five tackles (two solo).

2020: Started all 16 games of his rookie season at the center of the Chargers defense, leading the Bolts with 107 total tackles (68 solo), the most by a rookie in franchise history…Finished second among all rookies in the NFL with his 107 total tackles, as his 68 solo tackles also were the second-most among rookies in 2020…Recorded a career-high 14 tackles (12 solo) against New England in Week 13, as he also dropped Patriots QB Cam Newton for a loss of four yards to tally his first career sack…Awards: Professional Football Writers of America All-Rookie (LB)…at Cincinnati (Sept. 13): In his NFL debut, received the starting nod at LB, a role he would not relinquish… Finished his first NFL game with eight total tackles, including three stops on a critical fourth quarter drive to thwart a Bengals comeback attempt…vs. Kansas City (Sept. 20): Logged a then-career-high 10 total tackles (six solo) in an overtime matchup against the reigning Super Bowl Champion Kansas City Chiefs…Recorded his first career pass defensed on the final drive of regulation, batting a ball away from WR Tyreek Hill to force the incompletion…vs. Carolina (Sept. 27): Amassed five total tackles, including a tackles for loss on an end-around rush by WR Curtis Samuel, as he read what the Panthers offense was attempting to do and stopped Samuel for a loss of two yards on third down…at Tampa Bay (Oct. 4): Matched his career-high with 10 total tackles (six solo)…On the Buccaneers' second offensive drive of the game, recorded three solo stops in that series alone, before QB Tom Brady threw an interception to CB Michael Davis, in which Davis returned the takeaway 78 yards for a TD…On the INT return TD, set blocks to help Davis find the endzone…at New Orleans (Oct. 12): In his Monday Night Football debut, secured five total tackles and assisted in pass coverage, recording his second pass defensed of the season…On a second quarter third-and-one, shot the gap and dropped RB Michael Burton at the line of scrimmage, with the assistance of CB Casey Hayward, to end the Saints drive and force a punt…vs. Jacksonville (Oct. 25): Recorded five total tackles for the second consecutive week, while also notching his third pass defensed of the season…While assisting in pass coverage, the Chargers' defensive unit held the Jaguars to negative-five (-5) net passing yards in the first quarter, the fourth-fewest by a Chargers defense in the first quarter of any game in team history… at Denver (Nov. 1): Recorded three solo tackles (four total) for the Bolts defense…On a third-and-11 in the second quarter, QB Drew Lock hit RB Melvin Gordon on a pass out of the backfield, only to be stopped and dropped by Murray Jr. to force a Broncos punt…Helped lead a defensive group that held the Broncos just two rushing yards in the first half – the best showing of that nature by the Chargers defense since 2000…vs. Las Vegas (Nov. 8): Logged four total tackles (two solo) for the second consecutive week…at Miami (Nov. 15): Tallied four total tackles for the third week in a row, continuing to provide support in the run game and in pass coverage…vs. N.Y. Jets (Nov. 22): Amassed seven total tackles to help the Chargers defense limit the Jets, securing the team's third win of the season…Combined with CB Michael Davis to rush up the middle and drop RB Frank Gore for a loss of one yard, forcing the Jets into a third-and-long, leading to an eventual punt…Member of a defensive unit that held the Jets to zero net passing yards in the first quarter, not allowing an opposing offense to have any positive net passing yards in the opening quarter for the second time this season…at Buffalo (Nov. 29): Tallied five total tackles (four solo) on the day…Made his biggest contribution in the fourth quarter as he held up RB Devin Singletary for LB Nick Vigil to come in and punch the ball out, forcing a fumble and eventual Chargers fumble recovery and takeaway…The takeaway was the first of three in the fourth quarter for Los Angeles' defense…Helped shore up the back end in pass coverage, and provide pressure on blitzing downs, to help free up DE Joey Bosa and help Bosa total 3.0 sacks on the day…vs. New England (Dec. 6): Led the Chargers with a career-high 14 total tackles (12 solo)…Recorded the first sack of his career, dropping Cam Newton for a loss of four yards in the second quarter…Two of his 14 total tackles resulted in a loss of yardage for New England, marking a career and season best mark of two tackles for loss…Also brought down Newton on a designed rush by the Patriots QB, resulting in his second tackle for loss of the day… vs. Atlanta (Dec. 13): Recorded seven tackles (four solo) to lead the defense…Continued to support the unit in pass coverage, as the Chargers defense recorded three second-half INTs, the most in a single game for the unit since 2017…at Las Vegas (Dec. 17): Notched eight total tackles (six solo) on Thursday Night Football, helping the Bolts defeat the division-rival Raiders… Accumulated two tackles on Las Vegas' overtime drive, helping to hold the Raiders to a field goal and give the Chargers offense an opportunity to win…vs. Denver (Dec. 27): Amassed nine total tackles (seven solo), three of which came on Denver's opening possession, which ended in a Los Angeles takeaway…at Kansas City (Jan. 3): In the season finale, provided help in pass defense and collected three total tackles, as the defense held the Chiefs to a season-low 268 net yards offensively and helped the Chargers finish close out the regular season on a four-game win streak.

COLLEGE:
Played three seasons at Oklahoma (2017-19), earning all-conference recognition following each of his three years with the Sooners...Earned first-team All-Big 12 recognition from AP and the conference coaches as a junior in 2019 and second-team as a sophomore in 2018...Was named a semifinalist in 2019 for the Bednarik and Butkus awards... Recognized in 2019 as a second-team All- American by the American Football Coaches Association and third-team by AP...Finished his career tied for 11th in career tackles (335) and No. 8 among linebackers in sacks (9.5) in school history...Registered a team-high 155 tackles as a sophomore, the most by a Sooner since 2007... Earned Freshman All-America honors from the Football Writers of America and USA Today... Became the first true freshman to start a season opener at ILB for Oklahoma since 1975...Earned Big 12 Defensive Player of the Week in a win over No. 11 Texas after posting five tackles, two tackles for loss and a sack in 2019…Finished his collegiate career with seven tackles and a tackle for loss against No. 1 Louisiana State in the College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Peach Bowl…In 2018, registered 15 tackles against Alabama in the College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Orange Bowl…In 2017,became the first true freshman to start a season opener at ILB for the Sooners since 1975.

PERSONAL:
Given name Kenneth Rogers Murray Jr. …Born in Houston, Texas…His family adopted three special needs children when he was 10 years old, and he has used his love for them and his family to motivate his success on the gridiron…In the summer of 2019, he performed CPR to revive an unresponsive woman on a street corner in Norman, Okla. …Has been active in visiting children in hospitals during the holidays…Earned a degree in communications from Oklahoma…High School: Ranked as the No. 34 player in Texas by Rivals out of Elkins High in Missouri City, Texas…Touted as a four-star recruit by Rivals and Scout…Recorded 104 tackles, four sacks, six passes defended and a forced fumble as a senior…Lettered in football and track & field.