Who is Nyck Harbor? All we know about former 5-star WR who qualifies for NCAA nationals in 100m and 200m

Nyck Harbor, a freshman wide receiver and sprinter for South Carolina, made significant strides at the NCAA East Regional quarterfinals in Lexington, Kentucky. Harbor qualified for the NCAA Outdoor Championship in both the 100-meter and 200-meter events, clocking impressive times that secured his spots in Oregon.

In a 100-meter race, Harbor clocked 10.11 seconds (with a tailwind of 1.4) to secure a place in the semifinals slated for a fortnight away. But Harbor was not done with the standout performances; he broke his own 200-meter record of 20.36 by setting a new one of 20.20 seconds (with a following wind of 0.5).

This new time not only placed him second in the history of South Carolina’s 200-meter runners but also automatically qualified him for the 200 at the USA Track and Field Trials.

Reflecting on his journey, Harbor shared with TheBigSpur his experience transitioning from high school to college track and field:

“I've definitely gotten more adjusted to college – college track and field – here, everybody's professional, so it's no more (playing around)... Definitely a rude awakening. Came in here, got my b*tt smacked a couple of times, then just on from there. Just continuing to work.”

Harbor's 100-meter personal best was 10.12 seconds. He has to run faster than 10.05 seconds to be able to enter the USATF trials for 100m.

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Nyck Harbor: South Carolina's dual-sport phenom

Nyck Harbor was born in Washington, D.C. in 2005. His father, Azuka Jeanard Harbor, played professional soccer for the men's national soccer team of the United States from 1992 to 1997.

Nyck went to Archbishop Carroll High School where he played football at tight end and defensive end positions. He won Gatorade Player of the Year twice while in the District of Columbia.

Nyck Harbor was highly sought after as a five-star recruit. He was ranked ninth by Rivals.com and eleventh by 247Sports for the 2023 college football recruiting class. He committed to South Carolina University in the summer of 2023.

In the 2023 season, Harbor played all 12 games for the Gamecocks and started the last five. He made 12 receptions for 195 yards at an average of 16.3 yards and one touchdown.

Nyck Harbor had his best game when they faced Texas A&M by recording six receptions, totaling 59 yards. Harbor set state records in the 100m and 200m events and he is a two-time Gatorade Boys Track & Field Player of the Year in D.C. (2021-22).