Jimmy Horn Jr. became the fourth member of the Colorado Buffaloes’ offense to hear his name called during the 2025 NFL Draft when the Carolina Panthers selected the wide receiver in the sixth round. He joined two-way star Travis Hunter (Jacksonville), quarterback Shedeur Sanders (Cleveland), and wide receiver LaJohntay Wester (Baltimore).
Horn Jr. was over the moon to hear his name called on Day 3 and dedicated the achievement to his incarcerated father. Let’s revisit his 2025 draft weekend.
Revisiting Jimmy Horn Jr.’s NFL Draft Experience and Panthers Selection
In his first year with the Buffaloes, Horn Jr., whom Deion Sanders once hailed as his No. 1 son, caught 58 passes for 567 yards and six touchdowns. During the 2024 season, he added 37 receptions for 441 yards and one touchdown through 11 games and emerged as one of the best kick returners in the nation.
Horn Jr. was always expected to be a Day 3 pick and spent the first two days of the draft weekend with his family and at Seminole High School where he stood out as a receiver and returner. He met with his coaches and teachers, all of whom were proud of his achievements and excited to see him enter the NFL.
The 22-year-old could also be seen visiting a barber before going to his neighborhood to meet his childhood friends. “That’s one thing I don’t forget; where I came from and the people that I was raised around, like close friends, my cousin…I just appreciate everybody.”
Horn Jr. closed out the first day with shopping before his family started making the preparations for his selection on Day 2. The draft started with one of his uncles making a prayer, but the Colorado alum didn’t hear his name on Day 2. He looked anxious a couple of times through the day, but that isn’t surprising.
“Like my little brother getting drafted to the NFL, this is all he talked about since he was a kid,” one of his sisters said.
Horn Jr. eventually received the call on Day 3 from the Panthers’ general manager, Dan Morgan, who informed him about being selected 208th overall. He didn’t show emotions initially, but soon burst into happiness and hugged his mother. However, the happiest of all was his younger brother, who had expressed the desire to see his elder brother play for the Panthers.
In Carolina, Horn Jr. now has an opportunity to play for head coach Dave Canales, who was a Super Bowl-winning wide receivers coach with the Seattle Seahawks, working with the likes of Doug Baldwin, Golden Tate, and Tyler Lockett.