Bruce Feldman on Nyckoles Harbor topping Freaks list: He's bigger, faster than Julio Jones
One of the best articles to come out every offseason is Bruce Feldman’s Freak List. He looks at players across the country and ranks them purely on insane physical abilities. This does not make them one of the top players in the country but the physical traits are off the charts.
Most times, the No. 1 spot is occupied by a known commodity. Michigan’s Mazi Smith had the honor in 2022, while Alabama OT Evan Neal held the thrown in 2021. Both went on to be first-round draft picks the following year.
In the 2023 edition, somebody who has not played a collegiate snap has earned the top spot. South Carolina true freshman Nyckoles Harbor. What was originally a huge recruiting win on the trail for Shane Beamer will turn into one of the biggest mismatches in all of college football.
“He could be a great edge rusher,” Feldman said when speaking with On3’s Andy Staples. “He’s going to be a matchup nightmare just because of that size. We know he’s fast. 10.22 100(-meter dash) is crazy fast.”
Harbor was a track star in high school, posting jaw-dropping times as a senior. Feldman referenced his 10.22 in the 100-meter time. For comparison’s sake, if placed in the right heat, Harbor would have been on the verge of qualifying for the 100-meter semifinals at Tokyo 2020.
When Feldman saw Harbor at Michigan for an official visit, he could not believe the track times matched up with the size.
“He looked more like a young power forward than a potential future Olympic sprinter,” Feldman said in his article. “The son of former U.S. national soccer team forward Jean Harbor put up some eye-catching track times in high school, clocking a 10.22-second 100-meter dash, a 6.64 in the 60, and a 20.63 in the 200. In training with the Gamecocks this summer, Harbor hit 22.9 miles per hour on the GPS.”
Nyckoles Harbor receives Julio Jones comparisons from coaches
Beamer had a decision to make when Harbor arrive on campus. Was the former five-star prospect going to rush the passer or run downfield for Spencer Rattler? Harbor will be placed on the offensive side of the ball, thus the comparisons to Julio Jones began.
Coaches in Columbia were around Jones in college, a huge freak when stepping foot on campus. They are still in shock with Harbor, saying the freshman numbers blow Jones out of the water. Especially when looking at the track times.
Derrick Henry was another name mentioned, putting Harbor alongside two of the best Alabama has seen during the Nick Saban dynasty.
“To put it into context, Shane (Beamer) has a tight ends coach, Jody Wright, who was at Alabama for a while, Feldman told Staples. “He was there when they had Julio Jones and Derrick Henry. We talked about those comparisons. Both of those guys are big, freaky dudes.
“This guy is bigger. He’s much bigger than Julio Jones. And both of those guys were legit track guys in high school, at least really competitive. (Harbor) is bigger and ran a full second fast in the 100.”
North Carolina will be the first team that has to deal with Harbor. Beamer and the offensive staff will have to scheme something up to get the true freshman involved right away. Harbor is too big of an athletic freak to either use as a decoy or underutilize.