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).
While many expected Hunter and Sanders to be drafted early in the first round, Sanders ultimately wound up waiting until Day 3 to hear his name called as he slid to the fifth round. The 2024 Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year became the biggest story of the weekend due to his unexpected freefall. How did his teammate of two seasons react to his slide?
Jimmy Horn Jr. Predicts Strong Season for Shedeur Sanders
Sanders’ shocking slide in the 2025 NFL Draft came to an end when the Cleveland Browns selected him in the fifth round. Horn, who spent 22 games catching passes from the son of Pro and College Football Hall of Famer Deion Sanders, shared his thoughts on his former quarterback’s freefall.
Speaking with the media, the wide receiver stated, “I know everything happens for a reason in life. I feel like God got a plan for everything, so I just leave it up to God. That’s how I look at that situation, man. And I feel like he’s [Sanders] going to have a great season ahead of him.”
When asked if he believes Sanders felt like a fifth-round quarterback during their two years playing together, Horn responded: “Nah, he didn’t. He didn’t, but to each his own, man.”
NEWS: New #Panthers WR Jimmy Horn Jr. speaks on why his former teammate Shedeur Sanders Falling fell to the 5th round of the draft.
“Everything happens for a reason in life; He gone have a great season ahead of him.”
A powerful life lesson for everyone.pic.twitter.com/mR23z8Zrf7
— MLFootball (@_MLFootball) April 27, 2025
Sanders had a strong final season of his collegiate career as he threw for 4,134 yards, 37 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions, while completing an NCAA-leading 74.0% of his passes and adding four rushing touchdowns.
He was believed to be under consideration to be selected with the top overall pick during the pre-draft process, with many projecting that the Browns would select him second overall. However, late buzz predicted he could fall, with rumors that he had done poorly in the pre-draft process surfacing.
As the draft approached, it was believed Sanders could slide to the New Orleans Saints, who held the ninth pick — then it became the Pittsburgh Steelers, who selected 21st. Finally, there was chatter that he could slide out of the first round altogether.
However, nobody expected him to drop all the way to the third day of the draft. The former Colorado star should have a chip on his shoulder following his unprecedented slide.