During the 2023 NCAA season, Colorado Buffaloes wide receiver Jimmy Horn Jr. caught 58 catches for 567 yards and six touchdowns. Horn Jr. earned praise from Colorado head coach Deion Sanders, who called him a “frickin’ warrior” and a “game-changer.”
This season, Horn Jr. has recorded 33 receptions for 434 yards and just one touchdown through 10 games. With Horn Jr. becoming a notable name in the college football world, let’s examine his upbringing.
Who Is Jimmy Horn Jr.’s Father?
Horn Jr. grew up in Sanford, Fla., with his father, Jimmy Horn Sr., who raised him as a single parent.
Horn Sr. played football at Seminole High School and Bethune-Cookman University, but he didn’t make it to the NFL. Instead, he worked as a truck driver and barber.
Prior to some drug-related legal troubles that landed him in prison, Horn Sr. was determined to provide his son with a better life. He was a strict yet supportive father and taught his son the importance of hard work, discipline, and perseverance.
Horn Jr. developed a passion for football, which became his escape from the challenges of growing up in a rough neighborhood. Horn Jr. is not related to former NFL wide receiver Joe Horn despite having the same last name.
Following in his father’s footsteps and playing football at Seminole High School, Horn Jr. was a standout receiver and returner. He also excelled academically, earning a 3.8 GPA and graduating with honors.
Horn Jr. received several scholarship offers from different colleges and ultimately joined the USF Bulls, where he spent the first two seasons of his collegiate career. While with the Bulls, Horn Jr. totaled 67 receptions for 959 yards and four receiving touchdowns (plus a kickoff return TD). After his sophomore season, he decided to transfer to Colorado.
Unfortunately, Horn Sr. is still incarcerated and unable to watch his son play in person, but Horn Jr. stays in touch with his father. Horn Sr. is very proud of his son’s achievements and supports him from afar.
MORE: Free NFL Mock Draft Simulator With Trades
While at Colorado, Horn Jr. has turned heads and formed a strong bond with Sanders, whom he considers a father figure. Sanders has mentored Horn Jr. on and off the field, helping him develop his skills and confidence. After Colorado’s win over TCU in 2023, Horn Sr. spoke with Sanders and thanked the coach for caring for his son.
Coach Prime message for Colorado WR Jimmy Horn Jr. Father who has Court Today 🖤 pic.twitter.com/aeFuFhBAW9
— We Coming 🦬 (@SkoBuffsGoBuffs) August 14, 2024
Sanders has advocated for Horn Sr.’s release, recording a video for the judge.
“Your Honor, I just want to tell you candidly that I’m praying for Jimmy Horn Sr., who’s been incarcerated a multitude of years and who has his court date today,” Sanders said. “His son, Jimmy Horn Jr., has left to go see his father and be there for whatever transpires.
“I just want you to know that I’ve talked to Jimmy Horn Sr. and, truly, he has served a multitude of years, he has repented for what has transpired, and he is truly a different man.
“I just wish to God you could see in your heart an opportunity that he could come out of incarceration and have a chance to resume his fatherly responsibility, in which he was very, very good at…
“I sincerely believe in Jimmy Horn Sr. and I love Jimmy Horn Jr. … Please find some kindness in your heart and look at the track record and understand that he deserves another chance.”
More Than A Coach
Colorado star wideout, Jimmy Horn Jr, whose dad is in prison, asked Coach Prime to walk out with him on Senior Day. Prime also planned to go with Jimmy to visit his dad the next day.
A beautiful thing. #GoBuffs pic.twitter.com/mB2IcvyhX5
— Apex Jones (@ApexJones22) December 3, 2024
During Colorado’s Senior Day, Horn Jr. asked Sanders to walk him out since his father couldn’t. Coach Prime agreed, and they both visited Horn Sr. the next day.
After the game, Sanders discussed the special moment the two shared.
“Jimmy is like my kid; I love him that much,” Sanders told reporters. “We’ve talked about some personal things throughout his couple seasons here. I want to go with him on Sunday to see his father as well. He just turned around and asked me [to walk out with him], so that’s how that transpired. I said, ‘Shoot, you know you don’t have to ask me twice! I got you. I got you.’ It’s unbelievable, man. I love him that much.”
It remains to be seen when Horn Sr. will be released, but it’s great that Sanders has stepped in as a father figure for Horn Jr. in the meantime.
