Shane Beamer recaps South Carolina recruiting, rollercoaster of emotions with Nyckoles Harbor

Shane Beamer spoke with reporters on Wednesday after the Gamecocks landed a huge addition with the signing of Nyckoles Harbor out of Washington, DC.

Beamer began the press conference by hugging track coach Curtis Frye, as Harbor is expected to contribute to both programs. Beamer added that Harbor wouldn’t choose a school unless he had a football program and a track program, along with an academic program. Harbor, the No. 1 athlete in the country, chose the Gamecocks over Oregon and Maryland.

“He’s an elite athlete (in track and football),” Beamer said. “It’s about who can develop you to take that next step.”

Beamer explained that he sees Harbor as more of a wide receiver role, because he doesn’t need to have his hand in the dirt blocking defensive lineman at tight end, he needs to be out in space. However, Harbor will likely play some tight end, too.

The final hours of the recruitment were a bit of a rollercoaster of emotions, Beamer said. He got a message at 2:57 a.m. Wednesday from Harbor that “wasn’t good,” and led to a morning of hurried phone calls.

Beamer also added that the family dog, Boomer, was instrumental in wooing Harbor and his family, as Harbor’s mother loves that dog, the coach said.

Shane Beamer says he got an audio message from Nyck Harbor at close to 3 a.m. last night that “wasn’t good” … everyone in his camp was trying to get on the same page.

But “seeing him put that hat on was a pretty emotional moment for me.” @abc_columbia pic.twitter.com/dlA0z52clm

— Mike Gillespie (@MikeABCColumbia) February 1, 2023

Keith Farner

A former newspaper veteran, Keith Farner is a news manager for Saturday Down South.