High School

Why Irmo Wide Receiver Donovan Murph Is ‘Staying Home,’ With South Carolina Commitment

The Gamecocks had something other college programs could not offer their future wideout

Jeff Hawkins

Irmo All-American wide receiver revealed on Thursday, prior to the Under Armour All-American, that he will stay in his home state to play his college football – announcing his commitment to the South Carolina Gamecocks.
Irmo All-American wide receiver revealed on Thursday, prior to the Under Armour All-American, that he will stay in his home state to play his college football – announcing his commitment to the South Carolina Gamecocks. / Donovan Murph Instagram

Donovan Murph wanted to remain close to his roots.

The Irmo (South Carolina) High School four-star wide receiver revealed his commitment to in-state South Carolina moments before Thursday’s opening kickoff of the Under Armour All-America Game in Deland, Florida.

“Right now, they are building something special over there and I definitely want to be part of that,” Murph said, making the announcement on ESPN2. “Coach (Shane) Beamer and (wide receivers) coach (Mike) Furrey, I’m close with the whole staff and they continue to show me love.

“So show love to who shows love to you so I’m staying home.”

A 6-foot-2, 188-pound playmaker, Murph selected the SEC’s Gamecocks over other reported favorites such as Clemson, Colorado, Mississippi and Tennessee.

During the announcement, Murph sat at a small, round table accompanied by members of his family and pulled out a Gamecocks hat from an event bookbag, acknowledging his decision.

Initially a 2026 recruit, Murph, who is currently a junior, recently reclassified to finish his prep career one year early. He will join the Gamecocks’ program in June and enter a wide receiver room with six new faces, including four from his home state.

During the high school showcase’s broadcast, ESPN Recruiting Coordinator Craig Haubert lauded Murph’s decision to remain close to home and the direction of South Carolina’s offense.

“They are ready to unleash the fury at the wide receiver position,” Haubert said. “Wide receiver coach Mike Furrey has got to be really happy. Five receivers in this class that are ranked four-star or higher.

“Murph not only brings good speed but excellent size at the position.”

Murph is the cousin of ex-South Carolina standout Alshon Jeffery, who played nine seasons in the NFL with the Chicago Bears and Philadelphia Eagles.

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Jeff Hawkins
JEFF HAWKINS

Jeff Hawkins is an award-winning sportswriter with more than four decades in print and digital media. A freelance writer/stay-at-home dad since 2008, Hawkins started his career with newspaper stints in Michigan, North Carolina, Florida, Upstate New York and Illinois, where he earned the 2004 APSE first-place award for column writing (under 40,000 circulation). As a beat writer, he covered the NFL's Carolina Panthers (2023-24 and 2011-12), NHL's Chicago Blackhawks (2003-06) and NASCAR Winston Cup events at NHIS (1999-2003). His minor-league coverage included the UHL’s Adirondack IceHawks (1999-2003), Northeast League’s Adirondack Lumberjacks (1997-99) and South Atlantic League’s Hickory Crawdads (1993-95). Hawkins penned four youth sports books and away from the laptop, his main hobbies include mountain bike riding and live music. He has been writing for High School On SI since 2024.

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