Nyckoles Harbor. Jack Gruber-USA TODAY

Five-star freshman headlines college football 'Freaks List'

By Colum Dell | Last updated 8/15/23

Every season, college football features players burst onto the scene because of their unique physical traits, and 2023 will be no different.

On Tuesday, The Athletic’s Bruce Feldman published his annual “Freaks List," which highlights 101 college football players possessing extraordinary athleticism. Aside from his own judgment, Feldman uses submissions from coaches, teammates, parents, pro scouts and agents to determine his rankings.

Headlining this year's list is South Carolina wide receiver Nyckoles Harbor, a former five-star recruit and the 15th-ranked player in the class of 2023, according to 247Sports. At Archbishop Carroll High School in Washington, D.C., last season, Harbor recorded 439 yards and five touchdowns, averaging 29.3 yards per reception.

"In two decades of doing this, I don’t think I’ve ever had a true freshman No. 1, but this player is different," Feldman wrote. "At 6 feet 5, 243 pounds, the prized former five-star recruit is insanely fast. Videos of his high school races in which he roars past other speedsters that barely come up to his shoulders have gone viral.”

Despite his massive frame, Harbor is an explosive runner, clocking a 10.22-second 100-meter dash in high school and recently hitting a top speed of 22.9 miles per hour during a workout at South Carolina this offseason. For comparison, New York Giants wide receiver Parris Campbell reached 22.11 miles per hour during a game last season, which was the fastest recorded speed of any ball-carrier in the NFL.

I wonder if people know "The Freaks List" is all about athleticism. This kid, Nyckoles Harbor, is an absolute specimen and a half. pic.twitter.com/vRtMETvj7t
— H (@DynastyBuffs) August 15, 2023

South Carolina tight ends coach Jody Wright, a former assistant and director of player personnel at Alabama, compared Harbor to two Crimson Tide greats who are athletic specimens themselves.

“I would say a taller Julio [Jones] with a Derrick Henry-type build is a great comparison,” Wright told Feldman. “He has the potential to develop into a mismatch nightmare with his size and speed.” Harbor is much taller and heavier than both former Alabama stars, and yet his 100 time in high school was almost a full second faster than both of theirs.”

With wideouts Ahmarean Brown, Xavier Legette and Antwane Wells Jr. — who combined for 109 receptions and 1,283 yards last season — all returning to campus, Harbor will likely play a complementary role during his freshman year. However, if Harbor excels on special teams and in practice, it might not be long before he sees significant playing time on an offense that averaged 32.2 points per game in 2022.

Nonetheless, with his astonishing size and athleticism, Harbor could quickly become a household name and eventual first-round draft pick if his skills translate to the collegiate level.

More must-reads: