The Deion Sanders effect is bringing results, as another group of players finds their new homes in the NFL. Leading the show is Travis Hunter, and then Shedeur, followed by LaJohntay Wester and Jimmy Horn Jr. A lot of talk surrounds these four prospects, but Jimmy Horn Jr. is a special name. He is a testament to the culture at Colorado; the boys are not just Coach Prime’s players but his family. Here’s how the WR is honoring the veteran player as he begins his new career.
Jimmy Horn Jr. was picked in the 6th round with the No. 208 pick by the Carolina Panthers. But his journey until that momentous announcement was not easy. Horn Jr. was missing an important family member during the entirety of his collegiate career: his father, Jimmy Horn Sr. He is currently serving time for drug-related charges and could not see his son make these achievements in life. However, filling in for him was Deion Sanders himself. Coach Prime has been nothing short of a father figure for the young WR and was crucial in his development.
Horn Jr., too, knows how special that man is. He told the press after his rookie minicamp, “It was fun playing for Coach Prime. You know, it was a pleasure to play for him. You know, he helped me in life. And, like, that environment out there in Boulder itself was just different.” Horn Jr. caught the attention of Sanders when he transferred out of the USF Bulls. Once in Colorado, Coach Prime took it upon himself to make sure the WR’s father could be proud of him.
Horn Jr. scored a crucial 45-yard touchdown at the tail end of the Colorado State game, allowing it to advance to overtime. Before making that play, Sanders shared a powerful message with the WR. “[Guess] what, pop is at the crib, and he’s incarcerated watching you right now. And he wants to clap in front of all his different inmates because he believes in his son. We’re gonna make pop proud tonight,” Bleacher Report quoted Coach Prime. Sanders also accompanied Horn Jr. to a prison visit to see his father and also appealed to a judge in favor of him.
The WR’s father couldn’t help but send his appreciation for Deion Sanders in a letter, which proves how much his support means to him. Horn Sr. wrote, “You say you be there for my son Jimmy Horn Jr. also including me.” Then he attached a photo of the three of them as “proof.” Coach Prime also walked with Horn Jr. on Colorado’s Senior Day, filling in for his father’s absence. Horn Jr. was almost like a son to Deion Sanders, and everything he learned as a result of that special bond is finally getting its due results.
Horn Jr. is “flying” at Carolina, thanks to Deion Sanders’ “special” coaching
Jimmy Horn Jr. is creating quite the buzz at Carolina, particularly for his speed. He’s not like your usual WR, but he’s got some serious athleticism in him. He already trounced the 40-yard dash at the combine by running a beyond-impressive 4.46. Horn Jr., however, thought that was not his best. He turned that into a further jaw-dropping finish of 4.38-4.40 at Colorado’s Pro Day.
“I’ll be flying,” he told the media. And fly he will. What caught the eyes of everyone at camp was a seamless 90-degree cut he made. In fact, such was his performance that day that he was even appreciated by Grammy-nominated rapper Wale on X. He wrote, “Jimmy Horn Jr gon really go crazy year 1 you can see it a mile away.” He also said in another tweet, “He’s an example of somebody who get better every year . He got it fr.”
Textbook 90 degree speed cut from Jimmy Horn
What does “no indicators” mean? pic.twitter.com/yPrAXRUaBt
— Receiver School (@ReceiverSchool) May 9, 2025
“It was a great experience. It was fun. You know, one of a kind experience that I’ll never get the experience again playing for Coach Prime, specifically,” Jimmy Horn Jr. said about his time with the iconic NFLer. It’s one thing to have the man as a coach. But to have him as a father figure? A surreal experience. And he’s making sure Coach Prime knows how special he is to his career.
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