Track and field in the Olympic year haven’t only gathered athletes who specialize in track but also people who want to explore diversity. Especially relevant in the marathon, people from all strata, age groups, and professions assemble to compete. But for a football star to compete wouldn’t come as a surprise after the wide receiver of the Miami Dolphins, Tyreek Hill, has already positioned himself alongside Usain Bolt. Is there another NCAA track and field star walking in his footsteps?

Nyck Harbor, the 18-year-old wide receiver of the South Carolina Gamecocks, hails from a family of professional footballers. But the 2023 No. 1 ranked on the “Freaks List” has placed himself as a worthy rival of the budding track stars. But there’s something that may pose an obstruction in Harbor’s sprinting career.

NCAA track and field budding star faces a setback

Popular for his Olympic-level sprint speed, the 18-year-old is well known for his multi-sport commitment. But his height and weight may be an issue if he wishes to position himself among the track veterans. Gamecock Track & XC’s official X handle posted a caption that exemplifies Harbor’s impressive speed. The caption reads, “What a fight to the finish! @AnthonyGreenhow takes the heat and moves on to the 200m finals tomorrow.” Clocking in at 20.74s, Greenhow nabbed the victory to qualify for the finals. But the football star, just a fraction of a second behind, finished with a 20.83s. The commentator started the race with words like “Harbor, he’s a big, at 6’5″ 242.”

Blazing through to the finish line, had he been leaner, he would have the highest potential to outpace Greenhow at any moment. An X post of Travis Miller has the same video, but the caption says, “Everybody looks small when they’re in a race with Nyck Harbor.” Aiming to boast a dynamic future, the 18-year-old has bagged a recent laurel that placed him above all.

Nyck Harbor’s proficiency shines through

As a breakout candidate for the Gamecocks in the 2024 season, Harbor has clinched the pole position. The former South Carolina football’s 5-star freshman has shown phenomenal improvement in his debut season. At just 18, his growth has been rewarded with his quick promotion to the wide receiver position, which was initially challenging. But his adept moves didn’t halt his progress.

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For South Carolina football’s 2024 season, the NCAA track and field star will be the key player to watch out for. He has been declared the No. 1 football freak in over two decades. Considering his track record and impressive feats, he will look to make waves on the field and the track simultaneously.