Where is Nyck Harbor? Shane Beamer speaks on speedy WR’s production through two games

Even after South Carolina’s beatdown of Kentucky on Saturday, there are still questions about the Gamecocks. Namely their offense and, well, more specifically, their passing offense.

Through two games, South Carolina has compiled just 280 passing yards. Only 11 teams in America have thrown for fewer yards in 2024 than the Gamecocks.

Right now South Carolina’s leading receiver is true freshman Mazeo Bennett Jr., who has hauled in five passes for 81 yards. That’s it.

In total, eight South Carolina players have caught a pass this season — which isn’t quite as interesting as some of the guys who haven’t. The big names: tight end Brady Hunt and wide receivers Luke Doty and Nyck Harbor.

Harbor is the real conundrum among the fans. The former five-star prospect is an enigma. He runs faster than probably any college football player in the country, is a track phenom who qualified for the Olympic Trials and was awarded a 99 speed rating on the NCAA “College Football 25” video game.

Yet, he doesn’t have a catch this season.

According to Pro Football Focus stats as compiled by Gamecock Central, Harbor has taken 37 snaps this season — which is below four other Gamecocks wide receivers. And that’s despite the fact that he started against Kentucky on Saturday.

Asked about Harbor on Sunday night, Beamer almost seemed frustrated. Another week. Another question about Harbor.

“We’ve got a lot of really good receivers. They’re all working. We’re still trying to figure out who’s gonna separate themselves,” Beamer said.

“I know everyone in America wants to see Nyck Harbor because of his size and his speed. I get it. And Nyck has worked really hard and we have to continue to get him in position to make plays.”

Harbor’s whereabouts remained a hot topic on social media from start to finish in Saturday’s win over Kentucky. A sampling of the remarks posted by fans on X (formerly Twitter):

▪ If South Carolina doesn’t target Nyck Harbor 10 times today I’m gonna break something.

▪ I thought we were supposed to be getting Nyck Harbor involved?

▪ I do not understand how you can’t manufacture more touches for Nyck Harbor

▪ Nice play from Sellers and Bennett but why is Nyck Harbor not on the field?

▪ Is Nyck Harbor even at the game?

Harbor has been targeted three times in two games. He was targeted on a deep pass Saturday from LaNorris Sellers and drew a pass interference call. He does have two tackles — one on special teams Saturday and another chasing down an Old Dominion defender last week after a lost fumble by the USC offense.

As a freshman in 2023, Harbor had 12 catches for 195 yards and a score.

Beamer added that he doesn’t want to answer Harbor questions every week, that he did good things on Saturday but has to work like everyone else.

He addressed Harbor at his press conference last Tuesday, saying: “We want to scheme stuff for him. We have a lot of guys we need to get touches, if you will, and try and find ways to get the ball into their hands. Whether it be at the running back position, tight end, receiver. But Nyck, there’s no question about it, he presents a lot of problems to defenses, even if if it’s just the threat of him running past people and catching deep balls.”

Gamecock WR snap counts through 2 games

Via Pro Football Focus as published by GamecockCentral

• Vandrevius Jacobs – 95

• Jared Brown – 80

• Mazeo Bennett – 52

• Dalevon Campbell – 42

• Nyck Harbor – 37

• Payton Mangrum – 34

• Gage Larvadain – 18

• Luke Doty – 3