COLUMBIA — South Carolina heads into the 2025 football season without a clear standout at wide receiver, but Nyck Harbor is ready to change that.
The multi-sport star has made the decision to prioritize football for the upcoming season, opting to skip South Carolina’s indoor track season. Harbor, a key contributor in his first two seasons with the Gamecocks, has recognized the importance of a full offseason devoted solely to football after missing valuable spring practice time due to track last year.
“He’s solely focusing on football right now. And that was Nyck’s decision,” head coach Shane Beamer said. “I think he realized that he did a lot of really good things in track last year. But missing spring practice … it was more of a challenge to be ready for the season.”
Entering his third year at USC, Harbor is eager to build on his improvements from the past two seasons and enter next fall in top form. The decision to focus on football doesn’t mean Harbor’s time with track is over, but for now, football is his sole focus as he looks to become one of the team’s top receivers.
Harbor finished the 2024 season with 26 receptions, 376 yards, and three touchdowns, ranking fourth on the team in catches and second in receiving yards. However, with key players like tight end Josh Simon leaving the program, Harbor is positioning himself to take on a larger role in the offense alongside quarterback LaNorris Sellers.
“I go to work every day. I’m one of the first in the building and one of the last out,” Harbor said back in October. “It’s starting to show up in games. I just owe that to myself to get better and better each week.”
The Gamecocks are looking to reload at the receiver position, and Harbor’s veteran presence, speed, and work ethic give him a leg up as he competes with new and returning players for a top spot in the receiving corps.
Coach Beamer expressed confidence in Harbor’s commitment, noting that the decision to skip track was something they had discussed and that it will allow the wideout to truly focus on developing his football skills.
While Harbor’s shift in priorities leaves his participation in the outdoor track season in question, his primary goal is clear: he wants to be in peak condition for spring football, which begins March 19, with the Garnet and Black Spring Game scheduled for April 18.
With Harbor all in on football, Gamecock fans have plenty to be excited about as the 2025 season approaches. He’s ready to take his game to the next level and help lead South Carolina’s offense into the new year.
