Nyckoles Harbor Continues To Display Progress In His Development
While things haven't been going well for South Carolina in 2023 as far as the end results are concerned, there have been a few bright spots for this team and its fanbase to look forward to, one of them being wide receiver Nyckoles Harbor, who has continued to show development at the wide receiver position each week.
Nyck Harbor lining up pre-snap versus Florida (14th Oct., 2023)
Fisher Brewer
Going into the year, many, including myself, took to Twitter, acknowledging that while Nyckoles was looking great in camp, he would need time in the first few weeks of the season to get ready and learn the nuances of the position. By midseason, the prevailing thought was that Harbor would be prepared to make an impact for the Gamecocks.
That's exactly what happened, and now that it's week nine, we are starting to see Nyckoles make an impact for the Gamecocks with the increased snaps he's getting. With us seeing him get more time and chances to make plays each week, it's clear that this Carolina team is desperately in need of receivers stepping up and helping create separation and make plays. Midseason 2nd team All-American Xavier Legette is the one who's picked up the majority of the slack in the room since Preseason All-American Antwane "Juice" Wells Jr. left the Georgia game in week three with a foot injury.
In four games of play, Harbor has recorded ten catches for 161 yards and one touchdown on over 140 snaps, with an average of 25.5 yards per catch.
WR Nyckoles Harbor
Fisher Brewer
With his Pro Football Focus grades from the last two weeks (Texas A&M grades not out yet), it's looking like this:
Vs. Florida (16 Passing Play Snaps)
Total Offensive Grade: 65.3
Receiving Grade: 65
@ No. 20 Missouri (43 Passing Play Snaps)
Total Offensive Grade: 66.8
Receiving Grade: 66.1
With four games left in the year, the Gamecocks will have to win them all to try and make a bowl game this year. Therefore, we should anticipate the ball being in Nyck's hands more often, given what he's done in recent weeks, as they aim to help the Gamecocks reach a bowl game and prepare him to be a starting wide receiver for the 2024 season for the Gamecocks.
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