Since the 2025 NFL Draft, there have hardly been positives to take away from Shedeur Sanders. The son of the legendary Hall of Famer Deion Sanders, his stock fell from a projected first-round pick to a selection in the fifth round. However, as fate would have it, the Colorado Buffaloes superstar got the starting job as the Cleveland Browns opened their preseason slate against the Carolina Panthers.
But he wasn’t the only alum from Colorado who was partaking in the contest. Across the sidelines, his former teammate and wide receiver, Jimmy Horn Jr., was also trying to make a name for himself in the Panthers organization. After a solid first outing for both men, they shared a wholesome moment on the field before they went their separate ways.
How Did Jimmy Horn Jr. and Shedeur Sanders’ Bond Remain Intact?
Horn and Sanders shared a locker room for two years with the Buffaloes. Coming to the team at the same time in 2023, the two instantly forged a connection, both on and off the field. As the two sides engaged in a joint practice just a few days prior, Sanders had some glowing words for his former teammate.
“Jimmy definitely is missed. A lot of the Colorado players are missed. All of them have different personalities. And Jimmy, I miss seeing his [smile] when we’re at practice with his gold grillz.”
During the practice, the two got to catch up with one another, as they shared a few jokes and laughs while taking a stroll on the field together. However, after their first taste of NFL action, albeit in the preseason, the moment meant so much more.
Sanders was coming off a months-long struggle to earn a spot above three other quarterbacks on the active roster before injuries to Dillon Gabriel and Kenny Pickett and precautions with Joe Flacco gave him the role.
On the other hand, Horn was trying to build a name for himself on a Panthers team that desperately needs help in its wide receiver room. Both players came away looking better than they had going into the encounter.
As he walked on the field, exchanging pleasantries with the Panthers, Sanders had just one question: “Where’s Jimmy Horn now?” He repeated the question multiple times as the Browns crew caught it on tape. When the two finally laid eyes on each other, they shared a warm moment on the field, finally on the NFL stage.
all love between these two@ShedeurSanders | @Tooswiftj5 | @CUBuffsFootball pic.twitter.com/l3Dwr2A8Fr
— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) August 9, 2025
In the game, Horn tallied 15 yards on four receptions as a pass catcher, while also adding 29 yards on two kick returns. Sanders, though, had a sensational outing that left the entire NFL world buzzing in anticipation.
Sanders put up 103 yards and two touchdowns, completing 11 passes on 18 attempts in the first half alone. Add in three scrambles worth 20 yards, and his showing was as good as anyone could have hoped.
It’s unclear how big a role both these men will play on their new teams. But if their first performance is any indication, they will be contributing factors for quite some time in the league.
