Kelvin Harmon – Noteworthy
It doesn’t matter to North Carolina State’s Kelvin Harmon whether he’s wide open downfield or tussling with a defensive back as the ball comes his way. Just get the ball close, and he’s going to make that catch. The junior has developed into the unquestioned No. 1 receiver atop a deep position group for the No. 16 Wolfpack entering Saturday’s trip to No. 3 Clemson. He has the size and strength to make tough catches, the quickness to work his way open for a cleaner look and the willingness to battle through – or over – contact for a contested grab. “It’s just having those physical skillsets and using them and believing I can make a catch even though it might look weird to some people,” Harmon said. “But I just believe if my hands are free, I can make any catch.”
Harmon is coming off the program’s first 1,000-yard receiving season since 2003 and is on pace for another for the Wolfpack (5-0, 2-0 Atlantic Coast Conference), who is off to the program’s best start since going 9-0 behind Philip Rivers in 2002. Harmon is a tough matchup for any secondary. He’s an NFL prospect with his 6-foot-3, 214-pound frame. He leads the ACC in receiving yards per game (106.8) and has 33 catches for 534 yards with a pair of scores. He had a quiet season opener, but has snagged at least six catches and 94 yards receiving four straight games. The Tigers (6-0, 3-0) know all about Harmon. In last year’s 38-31 Clemson win in Raleigh, Harmon had eight catches for 155 yards and a 40-yard touchdown. “He’s big,” Clemson defensive coordinator Brent Venables said. “He’s strong. He’s fast. He’s instinctive. He’s got great hands, understands leverage and understands how to run routes. – AP College Football