Gamecocks’ 2025 recruiting news heats up with the latest updates

The recruiting year for South Carolina kicked off with excitement on January 2, as highly rated wide receiver Donovan Murph from Irmo publicly committed to the Gamecocks.

Murph (6-3, 180) had narrowed his options to Clemson, Ole Miss, Colorado, and Tennessee, although Clemson had been out of the picture for several weeks, as reported by Paul Strelow of TigerIllustrated. He made his decision during the Under Armour All-American Game broadcast in Orlando.

Originally part of the 2026 class, Murph announced on October 1 that he would reclassify to the 2025 class. After a remarkable season with 96 receptions for 1,328 yards and 12 touchdowns, Murph made official visits only to USC and Clemson.

Gamecocks head coach Shane Beamer and wide receivers coach Mike Furrey made Murph a top priority in recruiting, and their efforts paid off.

“Right now, they are building something special over there,” Murph said on ESPN2 after 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 also mentioned that the chance to play early at USC was a key factor in his decision. “They tell me I’m a priority, especially in their receiver position,” he 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 competing for national championships, it was in-state guys. Keeping those in-state guys home is going to bring Carolina back.”

Murph’s commitment adds to the Gamecocks’ impressive 2025 class, which now includes six high school wide receivers, such as Jayden Sellers from South Florence, Malik Clark from Rock Hill, and Jordon Gidron from Ridge View, who also reclassified to 2025. The class now stands at 34 total newcomers.

In other recruiting news, former Alabama linebacker/defensive end Jeremiah Alexander is set to visit Clemson on Tuesday, according to Hayes Fawcett of On3. Alexander, who was a finalist for Clemson out of Thompson High School in Alabaster, Ala., three years ago before signing with Alabama, was a teammate of current Clemson defensive tackle Peter Woods. He recently visited Auburn and has upcoming visits planned to Oklahoma and Ole Miss. Alexander has yet to live up to the hype surrounding his recruitment, totaling only nine tackles and no sacks in 28 games over three seasons at Alabama.

Clemson defensive tackle Tre Williams is transferring to Michigan, while former wide receiver Troy Stellato is considering Kentucky, West Virginia, and Michigan.

Additionally, 2026 Bluffton wide receiver Carnell Warren committed to Virginia Tech during the Under Armour All-American Game. His other finalists were Georgia Tech, Wake Forest, and Duke.

Other USC recruiting updates include the Gamecocks offering Texas State transfer defensive tackle Terry Webb (6-3, 314), who had 43 tackles, seven tackles for loss, and three sacks over two seasons at Texas State. USC also extended an offer to Texas State defensive tackle Tavian Coleman (6-1, 300). Coleman, who began his career at Trinity Valley JC in Texas before transferring to Utah State and later to Texas State, has accumulated 53 tackles, 13 tackles for loss, and six sacks over the past two seasons. Colorado has also extended an offer to Coleman.

• USC has extended an offer to Louisiana Tech transfer wide receiver Tru Edwards (6-3, 201). Edwards previously played at Navarro JC in Texas from 2019 to 2020, then transferred to Hawaii for the 2021 season. He joined Louisiana Tech in 2022 but redshirted. Over the course of his career, Edwards has caught 112 passes for 1,307 yards and eight touchdowns.
• Limestone graduate transfer placekicker James Potts visited both S.C. State and USC this week to kick for coaches. He made his only field goal attempt this season, which was from 24 yards. Potts, originally from York, had Mike Furrey, USC’s receivers coach, as his coach at Limestone before Furrey joined the Gamecocks this season.
• Former USC backup quarterback Robby Ashford announced on Sunday that he has signed with Wake Forest, marking his fourth college stop. Ashford has previously attended Oregon and Auburn. This past season, he played a limited role as the backup to LaNorris Sellers.
• USC wide receiver Payton Mangrum is transferring.
• S.C. State offensive tackle Tray Franklin is transferring to Coastal Carolina.
• Former Miami wide receiver Robby Washington (5-11, 180) is also transferring to Coastal Carolina. In two seasons with the Hurricanes, Washington caught two passes for 27 yards.
• Former Coastal Carolina defensive lineman Will Whitson is transferring to Mississippi State.
• Last week, South Carolina extended an offer to 2026 quarterback Brady Smigel (6-5, 205) from Newbury Park, Calif. Smigel has been committed to Florida State since June. This season, he threw for 3,521 yards, 49 touchdowns, and three interceptions, and rushed for 11 more scores. Other schools that have offered him include North Carolina, Auburn, Louisville, TCU, Arizona, Washington, Ohio State, Florida, Cal, Miami, Nebraska, Oregon, Notre Dame, Georgia, and Ole Miss.
• North Augusta offensive tackle Malcolm Gaston has scheduled a visit to Florida State for January 18.
• Cornelius, N.C., cornerback Samari Matthews has set junior day visits to USC on January 11, Florida State on January 18, Tennessee on January 25, and Clemson on February 1.