Broncos LB Red Murdock holds the NCAA record with the most forced fumbles

The Denver Broncos made the final pick in the 2026 NFL draft last month, giving the title of "Mr. Irrelevant" to Buffalo linebacker Red Murdock.

Murdock (6-1, 232 pounds) was actually a very relevant player in college, breaking an NCAA record with 17 career forced fumbles (Khalil Mack previously held the record with 16).

"Meticulous intent and being kind of being obsessed with it," Murdock said when asked in a post-draft conference call about his ability to force fumbles. "Now I’m just ready to go do that on the field and help us get some wins.”

Six of those forced fumbles came in 2025, and Murdock also racked up 142 tackles last fall. He was named a second-team All-American and a first-team All-MAC defender following his final year at Buffalo.

"Murdock, just man, he’s a tackling machine," Broncos general manager George Paton said after the draft. "Just really instinctive. Really good against the run. He may hold the record — you guys may know — for forced fumbles. Everyone talked about the Texas Tech guy [Jacob Rodriguez], and he was amazing, but this guy — oh my gosh, if you look at his career and all the forced fumbles he had. Just a nose for the ball, relentless motor. Think he could be a good special teamer. Great makeup, all of these guys I think have great makeup.”

Seventh-round draft picks are never a lock to make the active roster, but Murdock has clearly impressed Denver's front office, and he might have better odds to make it than a typical late-round pick. As Paton noted, Murdock can contribute right away on special teams, and he'll compete to win rotational playing time at linebacker. Murdock is a very relevant player to track going into the summer.

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This article originally appeared on Broncos Wire: Denver Broncos: Red Murdock holds NCAA record for most forced fumbles