The Colorado Buffaloes ended their 2024 campaign with a 9-4 record, and with that came the time for some players to leave for the NFL. With many Buffs having declared for the 2025 NFL Draft, some were invited to the East-West Shrine Bowl, including wide receiver Jimmy Horn Jr.
The all-star showdown will be played on Jan. 30 at AT&T Stadium.
NFL Fans on Colorado’s Jimmy Horn Jr. Impressing Scouts
During the practice week, athletes have already begun showing their skills in front of scouts in hopes of increasing their draft stock. According to a sideline reporter, Horn is in the good graces of some football personnel, as they shared: “Just talked to an NFL scout here at the Shrine Bowl practice, and Jimmy Horn Jr. is a guy they like a lot.”
NFL scouts have their eyes on Jimmy Horn Jr. 👀🔥
Sideline report from @gucceCU, “Just talked to an NFL scout here at the Shrine Bowl practice, and Jimmy Horn Jr. is a guy they like a lot.” pic.twitter.com/IseseAmESL
— STAMPEDE (@stampedecu)
Reacting to the news, fans flooded X with praise for the WR.
“Horn Jr is the man,” a fan lauded.
“He’s the one thats gonna improve his draft stock!!!” a fan noted.
“Yes indeed can’t wait to see where he lands 🙏🏾,” another fan wondered.
Meanwhile, one fan compared Horn to the Buffs’ primary receiver, Travis Hunter, who is widely projected to be a top-five pick: “Jimmy is better than Travis.”
Horn shared playing time with Hunter in his two years at Colorado. In 2024, he gained 441 yards on 37 receptions and one score, while Hunter finished with 1,258 yards on 96 receptions and 15 touchdowns.
Apart from Horn, two other Colorado receivers, LaJohntay Wester and Will Sheppard, also received Shrine Bowl invitations.
Will Sheppard, LaJohntay Wester, and Jimmy Horn Jr. will all get drafted. #ShrineBowl
📸me pic.twitter.com/bzgiAkDoAa
— GUCCE🦬🐦⬛ (@gucceCU)
In light of this, a fan said: “That WR room was stacked. A lot of NFL caliber players.”
“Shine Nephew Shine!!! NO LIMIT JIMMIE HORN JR,” another fan wrote.
Horn was drawn in by the Buffaloes when Deion Sanders became the head coach in 2023, where the WR built a special connection with the team. However, his transfer from South Florida did not come without its challenges.
Per ESPN reporter Turron Davenport, Horn recalled an early difficulty: “Camera shy a little bit, I was kind of camera shy. But the more they brought their cameras around, they got me comfortable with the cameras and all that. So that’s like one of the biggest things when you get there… they kinda prep you in that way.”
Colorado playmaker Jimmy Horne Jr. on the big lights in Boulder, making the most of opportunities, Shedeur Sanders leadership, and more from the Shrine Bowl. pic.twitter.com/fcQ3U4e3pN
— TURRON DAVENPORT (@TDavenport_NFL)
Horn’s popularity surged after the Buffs’ opening game against NDSU, where his 198 yards on seven catches for a score became the talk of the town.
