South Carolina head coach Shane Beamer shared blunt assessment of freak athlete Nyck Harbor’s development

Nyck Harbor has had quite the offseason. He again took the mantle of being college football's top athlete in Bruce Feldman's Freaks List , and became a sensation in College Football 25 for his alien-like speed and size. But the sophomore now has to bring that playmaking into games.

During the weekly SEC media call, South Carolina Gamecocks head coach Shane Beamer was asked about Harbor's development. Harbor's obvious traits aside, his work ethic has been a fantastic asset. However, Beamer also detailed just how far Harbor's on-field abilities still have to improve before he's someone he can count on.

Shane Beamer Details Nyck Harbor's Development

Beamer was asked about Harbor's pathway to playing time and what's expected out of him. He didn't hold back, saying that while it's great Harbor "had a fast speed in a video" this summer and was named a "freak...whatever that means", he still has a lot of work before he's a good player.

Harbor, at 6-foot-5, 242 pounds, is physically menacing. He's only 19, but ran a 10.1 100 and 20.20 200 track time for the Gamecocks. He's an All-American track star despite being 70 pounds more muscled up than his competition.

While he sounds like the next Calvin Johnson, he doesn't have nearly the polish or skill yet. On the call, Beamer praised Harbor's terrific work ethic this offseason, saying he's always in early to learn, asking questions, and doing more than expected. However, the positional details have been difficult to apply, and Harbor is not yet trustworthy in key aspects of playing receiver.

Beamer listed off basically everything the position entails, including route-running, timing, finishing through contact, and specifics that go with each alignment. It makes sense, given Harbor was just a big, athletic dude in high school. His build actually makes it more difficult to be more than just an insane athlete.

D.K. Metcalf is probably the best player for Harbor to emulate. Lacking the hip flexibility to be significantly more than a vertical stem receiver, Metcalf is still a feared and effective star in the NFL. It took him some time, though, and there are still limitations to his game.

After catching 12 passes for 195 yards and one touchdown last year, expectations are justifiably higher for Harbor this fall. He'll have the chance to be a greater impact option, but he still might be best known for being a cheat code in College Football 25 this year.