Owen Murphy
Independence senior wide receiver Owen Murphy and Hendersonville senior two-way tackle Brandon Dove committed to Austin Peay after participating in the Will Healy Football Camp last weekend.
Independence wide receiver Owen Murphy catches a pass during Monday afternoon’s practice.
The 6-foot-5, 255-pound Dove made 17 tackles (11 solo), had one quarterback sack and recovered one fumble last season, helping the Commandos to a 10-2 record and a second-place finish in Region 6-5A before suffering a 38-7 loss at eventual state champion Independence in the second round of the playoffs.
Brandon Dove
Murphy caught just two passes last season, playing behind a receiving corps in which the first five receivers were seniors, including Michigan signee Nate Johnson.
Independence finished unbeaten last season, rolling to a 49-14 victory over Sevier County in the 5A state championship game.
“I like how the coaches are young,” the 6-2, 195-pound Murphy said. “The wide receiver coach (Todd Pinkston) is real cool, and the head coach (Healy) is nice. I think I can get good opportunities there.”
Healy is entering his first season as the Governors’ coach. Austin Peay is coming off a winless season and is 1-34 over the past three seasons.
Dove and Murphy join Station Camp’s Hunter Scholato and Brentwood Academy’s Jack McDonald as Austin Peay commitments from the Midstate.
Contributing: Autumn Allison
Reach Craig Harris on Twitter @CHTennessean.