Nyck Harbor Draws DK Metcalf Comparison from NFL Insider
The hype surrounding South Carolina wide receiver Nyck Harbor is officially off the charts! Earlier this week, NFL Draft insider Todd McShay compared the sophomore phenom to none other than DK Metcalf, one of the NFL's most physically dominant wideouts. On The McShay Show, the veteran ESPN analyst pointed out Harbor's unique combination of size, speed, and athleticism, stating: “The obvious comp is DK. With that frame and that speed, you don’t have to be an overly refined route-runner. Remember AJ Brown and DK Metcalf. They were running nine routes… and it worked.”
McShay also acknowledged the early skepticism that had surrounded Metcalf and Brown when they were just NFL prospects. Both players were criticized for limited tree routes, but it was their raw traits that made them elite. “Part of the knock on those guys was like, ‘Can they get in and out of breaks?’ Maybe it’s not the most important thing in the world when you got those traits,” McShay said. “He’s a physical phenom. He’s different. You see him on tape, he takes off, and it’s like, ‘Whoa. What is going on? How is that giraffe faster and more agile than all these other guys who are 5’11, six-foot?’”
Track Speed + NFL Frame = Nightmare Fuel
Harbor doesn't just have the size, he is a literal track star. At 6-foot-5 and 235 pounds, he can still move. Harbor clocked a 10.11-second 100-meter dash and a 20.20-second 200 during the 2024 outdoor track season, earning himself Second-Team All-America honors in both events. This past spring, however, Harbor decided to step away from track to focus exclusively on football. As a true freshman, he recorded 26 catches for 376 yards and three touchdowns.
McShay praised Harbor's brilliance and upside but also made note that he was still developing his feel for the position. “He only had one drop according to PFF, but I saw several plays where he had trouble adjusting and tracking the ball. He’s learning on the fly.”
LaNorris Sellers + Nyck Harbor = Problem for SEC Defenses
With star quarterback LaNorris Sellers returning and earning Preseason First-Team All-SEC honors, the South Carolina offense has a real chance to make a point in the upcoming season. If Harbor can refine his skills, he could also become one of the biggest breakout stars in the league, o;r even the nation.
The comparison to DK Metcalf isn't just a flattering headline. It is a sneak peek at what could be a freakishly frightening reality for opposing defenses in the fall.