The new year in recruiting is off to a hot start for South Carolina with a public commitment Thursday afternoon from highly regarded WR Donovan Murph (6-3 180) of Irmo.
Murph included Clemson, Ole Miss, Colorado and Tennessee among the finalists though Clemson had not been a factor with him for several weeks according to Paul Strelow of TigerIllustrated. He made his announcement during the telecast of the Under Armour All-American Game in Orlando.
Murph was in the 2026 class until announcing on October 1st that he would be reclassifying for the 2025 class. He went on to have a spectacular season with 96 catches for 1328 yards and 12 touchdowns.
Murph only made official visits to USC and Clemson. Gamecock head coach Shane Beamer and receivers coach Mike Furrey put the recruiting bullseye on Murph and they hit their target.
“Right now, they are building something special over there,” Murph said on ESPN2 following his announcement. “I definitely want to go and be a part of that. Coach Beamer and Coach Furrey, I’m close with the whole staff and they continue to show me love. Show love to who shows love to you, so I’m staying home.”
Murph said after his official visit for the Texas A&M game that the opportunity to play early at USC also was a big part of his decision to stay home. They tell me I’m a priority, especially in their receiver position,” Murph said. “(Quarterback) LaNorris (Sellers) is getting better every week. It’s just, come and be a part of something special. They always say when South Carolina was winning and completing for national championships, it was in-state guys. Keeping those in-state guys home is going to bring Carolina back.”
Murph gives the Gamecocks six high school wide receivers in their 2025 class including Jayden Sellers of South Florence, Malik Clark of Rock Hill and Jordon Gidron of Ridge View, who also reclassified from 2026. The Gamecocks now have 34 newcomers in the class.