Jimmy Horn Jr. had some massive moments in his time at Colorado, but how does his full NFL scouting report look?
Overview, Film Analysis, And 2025 Scouting Report Of Colorado WR Jimmy Horn Jr.
Measurables:
- 5’8”
- 174 lbs
Player Background:
Playing his first two collegiate seasons with the South Florida Bulls, Jimmy Horn Jr. graduated from Seminole High School in Florida as a part of the 2021 class. He was ranked as a three-star recruit, and most sites had him just outside of the Top-150 wide receiver prospects. He burst onto the scene in his freshman year with the team. His totals finished as 30 catches for 408 yards and a touchdown, and rushing five times for 12 yards.
His second season was a decent step forward, eclipsing 600 total yards and scoring four times. Horn Jr. entered the transfer portal as a four-star WR, committing to Deion Sanders and the Colorado Buffaloes. He was a solid role player for the Buffs in 2023, racking up 567 receiving yards and six scores on 58 grabs. His final season ended prematurely with an injury, totaling 441 yards and a score in 11 games.
Accolades:
- First Team All-AAC Kick Returner (2022)
Strengths/Pros:
Horn Jr. is a wildly creative player in all aspects of the game, and he can be a real headache for defenses to try and contain. He makes himself readily available on short crossers, keeping his head back to the QB and working toward the line of scrimmage in space to be an easy target. He’s chaotic as anyone with the ball in his hands, trying all sorts of moves and rarely attempting the same maneuver twice. He can stop on a dime and make defenders miss badly, flashing some real acuteness in space.
He works around traffic well in his routes, staying mostly untouched against zone coverage and working himself open. His hands are soft and comfortable, working away from his body well and securing passes into his chest with ease. Horn Jr. turns his hips quickly after the catch, centering himself and driving downfield. He analyzes the field smoothly as a ball carrier, scanning the field and deciding his cuts with intent. He navigates the sideline well and showcases some good burst when he sinks into his hips. There’s also inherent value in his game on special teams, breaking some big returns off in his collegiate time.
Weaknesses/Cons:
Horn Jr.’s listed weight of sub-175 pounds comes with all sorts of issues, most notably restricting him to either the slot or a gadget role. He can’t sustain any physicality, getting hit like a bus and easily thrown off his base whenever presented with contact. He struggles to reel in passes in tighter coverage with contact. His momentum gets dragged down incredibly easily as a ball carrier, rarely working for extra yardage.
He’s not someone with a quick get-off, getting stuck in his feet too often when releasing off the line. Horn Jr.’s feet aren’t nearly as quick as some other players in his weight class, and his route fakes take the brunt of the blow, seldom being an effective way of separating. His acceleration isn’t elite, and he drifts through routes too often. His route tree is underdeveloped as a whole, and he’s very reliant on short crossers and screens. It almost goes without saying, but it needs to be mentioned that he’s essentially useless as a blocker in any capacity.
Potential Team Fits:
NFL Projection:
It’s always difficult to project severely undersized prospects like Horn Jr., and like most, his most likely outcome is as a depth wideout and/or returner. His potential offensive role is much more of a gadget type than a true receiving option, and he doesn’t have the frame or skills to realistically become much more than that. He’s worth a late-round dart throw because of his special teams upside alone, and a Mid-Day 3 projection fits for his possible, but limited, offensive future.
Prospect Grade:
- Late 5th Round to Early 6th Round
Film Exposures:
- 2024 vs. North Dakota State
- 2024 vs. Cincinnati
- 2024 vs. Baylor
Main Image: Mike Watters – USA Today Sports
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