South Carolina Football: What Are the ‘Cocks Getting in 5-Star Nyck Harbor?

The South Carolina football program has put together one of their top recruiting classes in recent years for the 2023 recruiting cycle. While the recruiting rankings are ever-changing, according to industry leaders on3 and 247Sports, Shane Beamer and company have found themselves firmly inside the top-20 since the Early Signing Period ended.

One of the players in this class is ATH Nyckoles Harbor, who signed with South Carolina during a nationally-televised ceremony on ESPN3.

Position: ATH (WR/TE/DE)
Recruiting Ranking: 5 Stars (on3, 247, Rivals); 4 Stars (ESPN); Under Armour All-American
Measurables: 6’5”; 230 pounds; 81-inch wingspan; 4.3 second 40-yard dash; 10.2 100-meter sprint
Former Player Comp: N/A

Nyckoles Harbor shocked many college football fans on Wednesday’s traditional National Signing Day by choosing the Gamecocks over the Ducks from Eugene, Oregon. A consensus five-star recruit until ESPN got cold feet in January, Harbor is one of a kind. An Olympic-caliber sprinter, the Archipbishop Carroll High School product has played as both an EDGE player and a pass catcher in high school but is expected to focus primarily on offense in college.

On film, Harbor’s defensive abilities are substantial. His elite first step as a pass rusher is only topped by the way he accelerates to an unblockable speed at the high school level. Even in college, if Harbor is utilized as a defensive end or outside ‘backer, tackles will have an extraordinarily hard time moving their feet quickly enough to block Harbor. He also possesses impressive length (Harbor is 6’5” tall and has an 81-inch wingspan) and athletic bend that helps him get past would-be blockers.

Harbor’s offensive film shows an impressive (and perhaps outrageously obvious) ability to gain separation from players covering him. His unmatched speed is sometimes too much for even the best-designed coverages to contain, and defensive backs must give him a wide berth underneath so as to avoid being beaten over the top. His length and leaping ability make him a dangerous target in the red zone, meaning that no matter where Harbor’s offense is on the field, he is a touchdown waiting to happen.

Head Coach Shane Beamer, Offensive Coordinator Dowell Loggains, and Defensive Coordinator Clayton White will undoubtedly have many discussions about what to do with the 2023 class’ top-ranked athlete. While Harbor has made known his intention to play primarily as an offensive weapon, the Gamecocks have used players on both sides of the football during Beamer’s tenure.

Harbor’s future is somewhat uncertain because of his commitment to pursuing his goal of being an Olympic sprinter in 2024 and 2028. Harbor will run track at South Carolina for legendary Head Coach Curtis Frye and has spoken with Shane Beamer about his expectations regarding his body. It is believed that Harbor will look to avoid gaining weight so as to preserve his sprinting dream, limiting what he could potentially offer on the defensive side of the football.

During his commitment ceremony, Harbor made clear that, even though he wants to run in the Olympics, he still desires to have a full NFL career after finishing his collegiate playing days. Several former NFL athletes (such as Herschel Walker, Bob Hayes, and Jim Thorpe) also competed in the Olympics, so there is precedent for other athletes to attempt to reach such lofty heights as Harbor’s.

Harbor’s limitless potential coupled with his two-fold future plans make projecting his exact role difficult, but Gamecock fans can be assured that very soon Nyckoles Harbor will be a big-time contributor however he is deployed in garnet and black.