JUST IN: USC now clear favorite to land Irmo receiver who has made his decision well known

Irmo’s Donovan Murph Set to Make College Commitment During Under Armour All-Star Game

One of South Carolina’s top football prospects for the class of 2025 is set to make a major announcement. Donovan Murph, a standout wide receiver from Irmo High School, will reveal his college choice during the prestigious Under Armour All-Star Game in Orlando, Florida, on Thursday.

Murph, who reclassified from the class of 2026 to 2025, has been a dominant force on the field this season, hauling in 96 receptions for 1,328 yards and scoring 12 touchdowns. The University of South Carolina (USC) is widely considered the favorite to secure Murph’s commitment, though Clemson, Ole Miss, Tennessee, and Colorado are also in contention. However, according to Paul Strelow of TigerIllustrated, Clemson is unlikely to be his final destination.

USC’s Productive Week in the Transfer Portal

While the Gamecocks await Murph’s decision, the team has been active in bolstering its 2025 roster through the NCAA transfer portal, adding four new players in a busy week.

Landing a Star Quarterback

On Monday night, USC secured one of the most sought-after players in the portal: quarterback Prentiss “Air” Noland. The 6-foot-2, 192-pound signal-caller hails from Fairburn, Georgia, and is known for his accuracy and poise under pressure. Noland, a left-hander, redshirted this season with Ohio State but retains all four years of eligibility.

Noland’s high school career was nothing short of spectacular. As a junior, he threw for 4,096 yards with 55 touchdowns and only four interceptions, completing 72% of his passes. In his senior year, he maintained a strong performance, passing for 2,140 yards and 22 touchdowns with a 67% completion rate. Noland chose USC over offers from Clemson, Alabama, Miami, Oregon, and Texas A&M. He joins Cutter Woods as the second quarterback in USC’s incoming 2025 class.

Bolstering the Linebacker Corps

Also on Monday, USC announced the addition of linebacker Shawn Murphy. The 6-foot-2, 225-pound athlete brings experience from two powerhouse programs, Alabama and Florida State. Over two seasons with Alabama, Murphy appeared in 18 games, recording five tackles and a pass breakup. During his stint at Florida State in 2023, he registered 13 tackles and two tackles for loss in four games.

Murphy was highly touted coming out of high school in Virginia, where he won the prestigious Dick Butkus High School Linebacker of the Year award in 2021. In his senior year, he amassed 116 tackles, 20 tackles for loss, six sacks, and two interceptions. With his arrival, USC now has five linebackers in its 2025 recruiting class.

Strengthening the Offensive Line

The Gamecocks continued their recruiting spree on Tuesday, signing interior offensive lineman Rodney Newsom from Western Kentucky. Newsom, a 6-foot-3, 303-pound guard, began his collegiate career at Memphis, redshirting in 2021 and sitting out the 2022 season. He transferred to Itawamba Community College in Mississippi in 2023 before joining Western Kentucky, where he played in all 14 games this season, starting the final 11, including the Boca Raton Bowl.

Newsom has two years of eligibility remaining and becomes the fourth offensive lineman in USC’s 2025 class, adding depth and experience to the roster.

Adding Defensive Backfield Depth

USC capped off its week of transfer activity by signing cornerback Myles Norwood from Ball State. The 6-foot-3, 190-pound St. Louis native brings size and versatility to the Gamecocks’ secondary. Norwood’s collegiate journey has been winding, with stops at Iowa State, New Mexico State, and Ball State.

This past season at Ball State, Norwood played in all 12 games, recording 38 tackles, eight pass breakups, and two tackles for loss. He provides a much-needed boost to USC’s cornerback unit and is the only cornerback in the 2025 class so far. With two years of eligibility left, Norwood’s experience and skill set will be crucial for the Gamecocks.

Looking Ahead

With 33 newcomers in their 2025 class, USC is building a roster designed for immediate impact and long-term success. The addition of top-tier talent like Prentiss Noland and Shawn Murphy, combined with promising transfers like Rodney Newsom and Myles Norwood, positions the Gamecocks as a team to watch. If Donovan Murph commits to USC, it will be another significant victory for a program that has made waves in recruiting and the transfer portal alike.