Gamecocks in hot pursuit of hometown receiver recruit ... but so is every other college

Wide receiver Donovan Murph burst on the scene at Irmo High School last season after moving into the Columbia suburb from Maryland. The cousin of former South Carolina great and NFL receiver Alshon Jeffery caught 57 passes for 1,084 yards and a school-record 17 touchdowns.

Murph (6-3 180) is now a hot recruiting commodity not just in South Carolina, but across the country as well.

“I’m still weighing all my options because I’ve got a lot of schools coming in and a lot of visits I’m planning to take,” Murph said. “I want to have it narrowed down soon, maybe middle of the season. Right now, I’m just seeing what comes in and trusting the process.

“I’m kind in the hard part but fun part of my recruitment. Everybody is reaching out. Everybody wants me to come to their school, come watch a game and see the campus for myself. I’ll be committed before my senior year. I’ll be committed this time next year because I’ll be an early enrollee.”

Murph, a high school junior, is going to Ohio State this weekend for the Buckeyes season opener. Outside of the state he mentioned schools like Oregon, Oklahoma, Penn State, Tennessee, Auburn, Alabama, Texas A&M, North Carolina, Wisconsin, Mississippi State and Arkansas as some who have been hot on his trail. And he just landed offers from Wisconsin and Stanford.

USC and Clemson, of course, offered Murph early and have made him a major target for 2026. Gamecocks head coach Shane Beamer and receivers coach Mike Furrey are in touch a lot.

“They are really consistent, hitting me up like every other day, basically every day,” Murph said. “Telling me I’m a priority for them in the Class of 2026, not just as a receiver, as just a player. They really show that they need me there, not just want me there. It’s great hearing from them and a blessing at the end of the day to know that the team right down the street wants me to come to their school.”

Murph added he and Furrey have really hit off from a recruiting standpoint.

“It’s been really great. We got off to a great start,” Murph said. “When he first came there and I was able to talk to him, he re-offered me. He definitely showed that I’m a great player for him and he talks about my versatility and how he would be able to use me. They’ve got a lot of young talent, and they are not afraid to go play a freshman if they have to.”

Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney and receivers coach Tyler Grisham, likewise, are making it clear to Murph how much he’s wanted in their program.

“I hear from them like literally every day. I could say they reach out every day,” Murph said. “Coach Grisham reaches out every day. Coach Swinney, he’s actually texting me right now. I hear from them a lot. They definitely do a great job recruiting me and showing me that I’m a priority for them as well. I’m blessed to just continue building that relationship with them as well. I know the history of receivers they’ve had, some of my favorite receivers.”

Grisham is employing two freshman receivers in his rotation for this season. That fact hasn’t been lost on Murph. He said Grisham has let him know early snaps will be there for him at Clemson.

“Just that I’m going to have the opportunity to play early as long as I come in and do what I know I can do and do what I’m capable of doing,” he said. “He tells me that not only me but my whole family is a priority. He just feels like I’m a Clemson fit, not only in my faith but in football and as a young man. That’s the thing that draws me to Clemson, that family environment.”

Murph camped at Clemson this summer. He was at USC for a seven-on-seven tournament. He’s also made stops this year at Tennessee, N.C. State, Alabama, Texas A&M, Forida and Ole Miss.