4-star WR Donovan Murph commits to South Carolina: ‘It feels like home’

Irmo (S.C.) four-star wide receiver Donovan Murph has visited South Carolina more than 10 times. The Gamecocks made a strong impact on Murph throughout his recruitment and South Carolina eventually became his “top school.” 

Head coach Shane Beamer and the Gamecocks’ staff treated the 6-foot-1.5, 190-pound wideout like a priority. Those efforts paid off, as Murph committed to South Carolina at the Under Armour All-America Game. 

“I knew it was home because coach Beamer never stopped recruiting me,” Murph told On3. “He always showed me love and everything he said was right. Then, when Darren Uscher came from Oregon, that solidified it.”

Murph choosing the Gamecocks will give him an opportunity to play close to home, as Irmo is around 20 minutes away from South Carolina’s campus. The chance to represent the Palmetto State is significant to the No. 7 player in South Carolina. 

“It means a lot,” said Murph, the No. 291 overall prospect and No. 44 wide receiver in the 2025 On3 Industry Ranking. “I know there are a lot of people watching me and there are a lot of people in the city counting on me. My cousin, Alshon Jeffery, he was able to bring a legacy to South Carolina with Jadeveon Clowney and other players. 

“He talked to me a lot about my recruitment as well. He told me that when he was making his decision, he felt the same way as me. Alshon wanted to go make a difference and change the culture. That definitely inspired me in my choice. I know that I am able to make the whole city proud, so I’m excited for that day to come and for the whole Columbia area to be proud of me.” 

Murph believes South Carolina is a ‘championship-caliber program’

Jeffery recorded 3,042 receiving yards and 23 touchdowns in three years at South Carolina before spending nearly 10 years in the NFL and making the 2014 Pro Bowl. In the coming months, Murph will be the next member of his extended family to suit up for the Gamecocks. 

South Carolina finished the 2024 regular season with a 9-3 record and wins over Clemson – who made the College Football Playoff – Missouri and Texas A&M. This success has Murph excited to play for the SEC program. 

“I’m going to a staff with a Heisman candidate at quarterback,” Murph said. “They had a bunch of wins over ranked teams and they probably should have been in the Playoff this year. Being able to join a Playoff-caliber team and add my talent to it, it’s a blessing that they think I can add to their program.”  

Murph believes in what Beamer is doing at South Carolina. Since his arrival in Columbia, the Gamecocks have had three winning seasons. 

“I think he’s building a championship-caliber team,” Murph said. “I watch the way they practice and those guys love practicing. They love playing for coach Beamer. That’s the feeling I get from them. All the guys love being there. They love the environment.” 

Murph is very close with Beamer and the South Carolina coaching staff

Murph gets a “family feel” while on campus at South Carolina. He is known by not only the coaching staff, but also the fans. 

Beamer played a key role in Murph deciding to stay in-state for his college football career. The two built a strong relationship throughout his recruitment. 

“Everything coach Beamer’s told me has never been a lie,” Murph said. “He never promised me anything and that’s what I really respect about him. He told me that, ‘You can come in and work and you can come play early.’ He’s always told me that, even when I was in the ‘26 class. When I moved to the ’25 class, I got the same love from him. I really felt that from coach Beamer. 

“He told me that I was going to love the place and my family was going to love the place. They did. Through all the coaching changes, coach Beamer always stayed in contact with me and made sure that I was up to date with what was going on with the receivers coach. That’s always stuck with me, that he felt the need to keep me updated.”

In addition to Beamer, Murph has grown close with multiple members of the Gamecocks’ staff. They include offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach Mike Shula, defensive ends/outside linebackers coach Sterling Lucas and defensive backs coach Torrian Gray. 

“It feels like home,” Murph said. “Everybody shows me love. The whole staff shows me love. It’s not just one coach. One would think that I go there and only the receivers coach is showing me love. But I know everybody up there, the quarterbacks coach – Mike Shula – who just got hired, coach Beamer, coach Gray and coach Lucas. All of those coaches, they show me so much love and it feels like a family. I could definitely see myself there with a staff like that. I know everybody and I can go talk to anybody about anything. They’re not going to lie to me.”