Todd McShay compares Nyck Harbor to DK Metcalf, highlights concerns as NFL prospect

South Carolina wide receiver Nyck Harbor boasts rare speed. On The McShay Show, The Ringer‘s Todd Mcshay compared Harbor to another former SEC wide receiver with ridiculous speed: DK Metcalf.

“The obvious comp is DK,” McShay said. “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. And 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.

“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?'”

Harbor came to South Carolina as a two-sport athlete. He ran track after his freshman year on the football team, but didn’t participate this spring and focused solely on football instead.

It was a massive decision for Harbor, considering he has world-class speed. In 2024, Harbor finished fifth at the SEC indoor track & field championships, clocking in at 20.87 seconds in the 200 meters. Harbor only improved during the outdoor season, logging a 10.11 in the 100m dash and 20.20 in the 200. He earned Second-Team All-America honors in both events.

Harbor’s speed is only more impressive when you consider he’s 6-foot-5, 235 pounds. Harbor put his size to good use last season, recording a career-high 26 catches for 376 yards and three touchdowns. For reference, DK Metcalf tallied 26 catches for 569 yards and five touchdowns in his final season at Ole Miss.

Harbor will have a chance to pump up his receiving yards this season. After all, McShay believes Harbor still has plenty of room for improvement.

“What’s interesting for me with Nyck Harbor is his drop rate,” McShay said. “When you looked on PFF, it was good. He only had one drop. I saw so many times him fighting like trouble, adjusting, tracking the ball. So, I don’t know what we’re calling a drop, but like there was some awkward stuff on the tape… So this is a guy who’s learning on the fly, still developing.”

If Harbor reaches his potential this fall, South Carolina will be dangerous. Quarterback LaNorris Sellers is also returning and was named a preseason All-SEC First-Team selection by the league’s media.