It hasn't taken long for former Colorado wide receiver Jimmy Horn Jr. to make an impression at the next level.
Selected by the Carolina Panthers in the sixth round of the 2025 NFL Draft, Horn entered rookie minicamp without the national spotlight that followed teammates Shedeur Sanders and Travis Hunter. But by the end of the month, the spotlight has found him.
According to ESPN’s Louis Riddick, Horn was “by far the best receiver at Panthers rookie minicamp,” a notable statement considering No. 8 overall pick Tetairoa McMillan was also in attendance.
The speed, explosiveness, and body control that Colorado fans saw on Saturdays were immediately evident. Head coach Dave Canales noted Horn’s vertical threat and ability to create separation.
“He’s got a real burst off the line and into his routes,” Canales said.
Horn has consistently turned heads in positional drills and team reps, showing the type of twitch and control that’s tough to coach — and even tougher to cover.
From underrated prospect to legitimate NFL weapon
Horn arrived in Boulder as a transfer from USF ahead of the 2023 season. He quickly became one of Colorado’s most dynamic weapons, carving out a role in Sean Lewis’s up-tempo offense and emerging as a trusted target for Shedeur Sanders.
While his collegiate production was overshadowed by bigger names on the roster, Horn flashed NFL traits throughout the 2023 season and against North Dakota State before getting injured for most of 2024.
At the NFL Combine, he recorded the fastest gauntlet drill time of any wideout. Though his official 40-yard dash time clocked in at 4.46, Horn improved on that mark at Colorado’s Pro Day, where multiple scouts reportedly clocked him between 4.38 and 4.40.
For the Panthers, the takeaway was simple: Horn has real NFL speed. And more importantly, he knows how to use it.
Emotional documentary
In an emotional 30-minute documentary produced by Colorado Football, Horn’s draft journey was documented from his hometown of Sanford, Florida to his name being called by Carolina on Day 3 of the draft.
The film captured the weight of the moment — not just for Horn, but for his family. His decision to stay home for the draft instead of attending Shedeur Sanders’ celebration in Texas underscored his quiet determination and self-awareness.
“I had my flight booked and all,” Horn said in the film. “But I still had stuff I needed to finish and get together.”
That maturity is going to carry how he approaches his first NFL opportunity. Rookie minicamp is rarely a proving ground, but Horn has wasted no time establishing himself as one of the most NFL-ready prospects on the field.
More than just speed
It’s tempting to reduce Horn’s value to his straight-line speed, but coaches and teammates have praised his attention to detail, ability to read coverage, and willingness to contribute in multiple phases.
At 5-foot-10, 175 pounds, Horn isn’t the most physically imposing receiver in the room. But he plays with urgency, purpose, and — as Canales described — “a chip on his shoulder.”
“He’s not the biggest guy,” Panthers GM Dan Morgan said, “but he plays with passion, and we’re always looking for guys who love the game and have something to prove.”
Horn brings exactly that. And with the Panthers wide receiver depth chart wide open behind McMillan and veteran additions, there’s a legitimate path for Horn to make the 53-man roster.
He’s just getting started
Sixth-round picks aren’t expected to steal the show at rookie camp. But Jimmy Horn Jr. isn’t interested in expectations.
Buffs fans watched him develop into one of the most reliable playmakers in Boulder. Now, the rest of the football world is catching up.
And if his first month as a professional is any indication, Horn’s not just going to make the team.
He’s going to be a star.
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