College Football's No. 1 'Freak' Revealed Before 2024 Season

The Texas Longhorns and Oklahoma Sooners have received most of the attention this offseason after moving from the Big 12 to the SEC. However, the South Carolina Gamecocks do not receive as much attention compared to big-name programs in the conference.

The Gamecocks made history recently with the release of Bruce Feldman's College Football "Freaks" List . Wide receiver Nyckoles Harbor made the top spot on the "freaks" list. It was the first time in the list's history a player had been in the top spot for consecutive seasons.

Harbor was a former five-star athlete in the 2023 class, per the On3 Industry Rankings . He was also the top player at his position.

The former five-star prospect had to compete for playing time with receivers like Xavier Legette, Trey Knox, and Ahmarean Brown at South Carolina last season. Legette and Knox left for the NFL, and Brown is now in the USFL.

Another change occurred at South Carolina following the 2023 season. Starting quarterback Spencer Rattler is now in the NFL with the New Orleans Saints.

LaNorris Sellers is expected to start at quarterback this season. He played in three games as a true freshman in 2023. Sellers was a former four-star QB in the 2023 class, per the On3 Industry Rankings .

The running game will also look different for South Carolina this year. Former Arkansas Razorbacks running back Rocket Sanders transferred to the Gamecocks in the offseason. Sanders had 2,230 rushing yards and 17 touchdowns at Arkansas.

Head coach Shane Beamer suffered his first losing season in Columbia in 2023. South Carolina finished the year at 5-7. Beamer previously took the program to Duke's Mayo Bowl in 2021 and the Gator Bowl in 2022.

South Carolina opens the year against the Old Dominion Monarchs on Aug. 31.

Related: College Football Fans Unhappy With Preseason Ranking Of Notable SEC Program