Jimmy Horn Jr. only touched the football three times Friday night. That was enough for the former Colorado playmaker to produce 83 all-purpose yards and strengthen his case for a significant role with the Carolina Panthers.
Horn broke free for 39 yards on an end-around, caught a 15-yard pass and added a 29-yard kickoff return during Carolina’s 34-17 preseason victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars. Each touch offered another reminder that the speed Colorado fans witnessed for two seasons can change an NFL game.
“Every single game we show up and he looks fast,” Panthers head coach Dave Canales said. “He had the nice end-around today. Had a really nice catch down the field and had a 30-yard kick return at one point, too.”
More importantly, Canales made it clear that Horn is doing more than producing a few memorable preseason highlights.
“Jimmy’s making a really strong case for himself in terms of helping our team,” Canales said. “I’m excited to see him especially just continue to grow in our concepts where the guys trust him. They know he’s going to be available, and that’s what he’s been doing.”
Bryce Young sees something that cannot be taught
Bryce Young did not share the field with Horn on Friday, but Carolina’s starting quarterback has thrown to him enough throughout the offseason and training camp to understand what he brings to the offense.
“He’s so fun to watch,” Young said. “Fun to throw to when I am out there. Just that explosiveness, how dynamic he is, that ability to, you know, just like today take an end-around, what, [39]? That stuff you can’t teach.”
Young also pointed to the less visible work that has allowed Horn to earn more opportunities.
“He’s been working really, really hard, doing the little things in practice,” Young said. “He has a great attitude every day. So, yeah, it was fun to watch.”
Horn’s role was limited early in the summer, but he has steadily turned additional targets and special-teams opportunities into production. He believes that momentum has come from approaching every day the same way.
“I’ve always been a playmaker,” Horn said. “Just showing up every day and being consistent and trusting the coaches and the plan that they got set for you—and really the Lord, too.”
That patience has become a central part of Horn’s journey. Rather than trying to force his way into the offense, he trusted that his opportunities would eventually arrive.
“Sometimes you just got to let things flow the way it’s supposed to happen and not try to take things in your own control,” Horn said. “You just got to be patient with the opportunity that you get.”
Colorado bonds continue into the NFL
The trip to Jacksonville also gave Horn an opportunity to reconnect with former Colorado teammates Travis Hunter, BJ Green, Cam’Ron Silmon-Craig and Preston Hodge.
Hunter is entering his second season with Jacksonville. Green appeared in multiple games for the Jaguars last season, while Silmon-Craig made three appearances in 2025. Hodge is beginning his NFL journey as a rookie. Although they reached Jacksonville on different timelines, the former Buffaloes are now continuing their careers together.
“That’s a great bond because it’s guys that I went to college with,” Horn said. “It feels good to see everybody doing something good in life. We all out here on this field, and it’s just great.”
Horn then made sure to recognize the coach and program that helped bring them together.
“Shout out to Coach Prime and all them guys for the program that he started over there,” Horn said.
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