Jimmy Horn Jr.’s name has been buzzing at this year’s Shrine Bowl practices. The receiver made sure to remind everyone just how deep and dynamic Colorado’s wide receiver room was this past season. After transferring from South Florida to join Deion Sanders’ squad, Horn became a versatile and under appreciated weapon in the Buffs’ offense.
NFL Skillset:
Horn’s athleticism leaps off the screen every time you watch him. His track background is immediately evident on tape, as his burst off the line is top of his class. He’s a burner who can stretch the field vertically, making him a constant deep threat for opposing defenses.
Beyond his straight-line speed, Horn’s stop-start ability is elite. He can decelerate and change direction on a dime, which makes him incredibly dangerous after the catch. With his combination of quickness and agility, Horn is tailor-made for a fast paced, high volume passing attack in the NFL.
Strengths
Route Running: Horn’s route tree is polished and impressive. His breaks are elusive, and he has the ability to manipulate defenders mid-route, creating consistent separation.
Body Control and Catching Ability: Horn’s ability to track the football is a testament to his focus and coordination. He has no trouble adjusting to poorly thrown balls or making catches in stride, a skill NFL teams will value highly.
YAC Monster: Horn’s track speed and agility allow him to turn short passes into significant gains. He thrives on quick screens, slants, and crossing routes, using his acceleration to leave defenders in the dust.
Versatility: Horn has over 800 career return yards, making him an immediate contributor on kick returns in the NFL.
Offensive Gadget Plays: His speed and shiftiness make him a prime candidate for jet sweeps, end-arounds, and other designed plays to get him in space.
Concerns Addressed
One of the biggest knocks on Horn heading into the draft was his ability to perform against higher levels of competition, but his career 1,900 receiving yards didn’t fully reflect his impact on the field.
Horn erased many doubts during the first two Shrine Bowl practices. He won nearly every route he ran, showcasing his explosiveness and ability to compete against NFL-caliber defensive backs. Scouts were able to see that Horn’s skill set translates well against top-tier competition, effectively silencing concerns about his consistency.
Draft Projection
Horn’s performances at the Shrine Bowl practices so far have undoubtedly boosted his stock. With several team practices and the Shrine Bowl Game still to play, Horn can continue to boost his stock this week.
I believe he’s gone from being viewed as a potential late-round flyer to a player in the Day 2 conversation. His speed, versatility, and playmaking ability will make him a target for teams looking to add explosiveness to their offense. If Horn somehow falls to Day 3, he’ll be one of the steals of the draft. But as it stands, his stock is trending upwards, and he’s made a strong case to hear his name called at some point on Day 2.
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