South Carolina star lands at No. 1 on Bruce Feldman’s ‘freaks list’ for 2026
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The Athletic’s Bruce Feldman has unveiled his “freaks list” for 2026.
Each year, Feldman publishes a ranking of the best pure athletes in college football, often noting everything from weight room accomplishments to track speed.
This year, South Carolina wide receiver Nyck Harbor is No.1 on the list. Harbor was also No. 1 in 2023 and 2024, but briefly gave up the top spot to Ohio State’s Jeremiah Smith in 2025. Now as the 2026 season approaches, Harbor is back in the top spot.
Here’s an excerpt of Feldman’s analysis:
To be this big and this blazing fast is truly rare. NFL scouts who came through Columbia this offseason measured him at 6-foot-6, 243 pounds with over 35-inch arms. His wingspan is 82 1/2 inches. He ran a 10.1 in the 100 and 20.20 in the 200 for the Gamecocks track team, where he’s competing in the NCAAs against runners 60 and 70 pounds lighter than him.
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Harbor is coming off of his best season as a receiver at the collegiate level. He caught 30 passes for 618 yards and 6 touchdowns in 2025 while leading the SEC with over 20 yards per reception.
Now entering his 4th seasons with the Gamecocks, South Carolina will be hoping he takes another step forward as a wide receiver. LaNorris Sellers is back to lead South Carolina’s offense, but the Gamecocks will need other players to step up if they want to get back to CFP contention this fall.
South Carolina will open the 2026 season against Kent State on Sept. 5.
Spenser is a news editor for Saturday Down South and covers college football across all Saturday Football brands.
