SPRINGFIELD, Mo. - After arriving in the Missouri Valley Football Conference as Illinois State's new head coach, Brock Spack secured a scouting report on one of the league's top offensive players.

"I had heard he wasn't a real physical player. He was just gifted athletically," Spack said of Missouri State tight end Clay Harbor. "I think he's gifted athletically and he's physical. He has the whole package."

That's exactly what Harbor had in mind.

"The biggest thing is I think I've made 100 percent improvement in my blocking," said the Dwight native. "My blocking was maybe one of my weaknesses. It's one of my strengths now."

In his third year as a starter, the 6-foot-4, 243-pound Harbor has helped the Bears to a 5-3 record and a 3-2 Valley mark entering Saturday's 1 p.m. game against ISU at Plaster Field.

"Everybody is real together right now. It's been real positive throughout the season," said Harbor. "The biggest thing I want is for us to get in the playoffs"

A second-team All-American last season and a two-time all-Valley selection, Harbor has been the primary receiver in Missouri State's spread offense with 39 receptions for 505 yards and three touchdowns.

"Clay is a converted wide receiver and he's gotten better each year blocking," said Bears' coach Terry Allen. "He's very athletic. He catches the ball as good as any tight end I've ever coached."

Spack particularly enjoyed watching Harbor and Danny Batten, South Dakota's State standout defensive end, square off on video.

"Boy, that was impressive. Two good football players," said the Redbird coach. "That's about as good as it gets at our level."

With 130 career receptions, Harbor needs eight more catches to surpass Chance Thurman's school record of 137. Harbor will start his 32nd straight game Saturday.

"That would mean a lot," said Harbor, whose brother Cory was a four-year letterman at Missouri State from 2005 to '08. "It would be nice to have something like that to look back on."

Looking forward, Harbor is listed by Scouts, Inc., as the top tight end in the Championship Subdivision and No. 13 at the position overall.

"I think I will get that opportunity," Harbor said of playing in the NFL. "Pretty much every team has been through here to watch me practice."

Spack would love for those scouts to be checking out Harbor at ISU.

"Watching that tight end play who grew up an hour from here eats at me," said Spack. "I don't know how that guy snuck out of here."