When ESPN NFL Draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. released his first draft mock for the NFL’s 2021 Draft on January 26, South Carolina corner Jaycee Horn was ranked 23rd overall for the New York Jets. Just under a month later, on Thursday, Horn is expected to be a mid-round selection, No. 16 overall for the Arizona Cardinals.
Kiper in Horn for Arizona:
“With longtime star Patrick Peterson Probably out of action, the corner is a clear void for the Cardinals, who fought for the home stretch last season after starting 5-2. Their defense should be given a boost by the return of pass-rusher Chandler Jones of injury, but they need more talent in high school. Horn is not a ball hawk, but the instincts are there. He is around the ball more than the statistics sheet shows (he has only had two interceptions in three seasons in South Carolina). Offensive line and wide receiver are two other positions that Arizona could seek. “
Mock Draft 2.0 forecasts by Mel Kiper | Five Gamecocks are in the Top 200 of the draft ranking
Horn is one of five Gamecocks of the 2020 season to declare for the NFL’s 2021 Draft; joined by wide receiver Shi Smithdefensive back Israel Mukuamuoffensive guard Sadarius Hutcherson and linebacker Ernest Jones. Smith and Hutcherson have publicly announced their invitation to the NFL Combine, which will be mostly virtual this year.
Over the course of three seasons, Horn started 29 games during his South Carolina football career and played in another. This season, he had 16 tackles in total, with one losing yards. He also has a couple of interceptions, both against Auburn, when he beat the SEC’s defensive player of the week, and had six past separations to his credit. Horn announced that he was opting out of the rest of the season on November 16, the day after Muschamp’s resignation.
Entering the 2020 season, Horn collected 85 tackles as a freshman and sophomore, with 6.0 tackles for loss, including 3.0 bags. He had 17 career pass separations and two forced fumbles in 23 games, including 22 matches. In his first two seasons, according to the PFF, Horn played 1,426 snaps with opponents aiming at his receiver only 100 times for 57 submissions and two touchdowns.
2019
The second year cornerback that started all 12 games … collected 40 tackles with nine pass breaks and two forced fumbles … had five tackles, two forced fumbles, a sack and a pass split at the opening of the season against North Carolina … combined his career record with seven tackles in the frustrating victory in Georgia … had a couple of breakups against Alabama and Kentucky … selected by the coaches as Rex Enright’s defensive spring player. .. nominated for the SEC Fall Academic Honor Roll.
2018
True freshman defender back who played in 11 competitions making 10 games … recognized at 247Sports midseason true freshman team from all over America and was a SEC All-Freshman selection by league coaches … shared the most productive player award for the defense with TJ Brunson … became just the seventh real freshman to start at the season opener since the 2009 season joining Stephon Gilmore (2009), Marcus Lattimore (2010), Jadeveon Clowney (2011), Bryson Allen-Williams (2014), Al Harris Jr. (2014) and Bryan Edwards (2016) … had 45 tackles with 4.0 tackles for defeat, 2.0 sacks and eight passing breaks, second in the team … tied the SEC lead among the freshmen with 4.0 tackles for defeat, tied for second with 2.0 sacks, third in defending passes with eight and third with 4.1 tackles per game … elected SEC’s freshman of the week for his efforts in winning over Mizzou, when he was credited with four pass separations … he also recorded three tackles, including a key dive trip, forcing Damari Crockett to go out of bounds on the 11-yard line instead of scoring it for a touchdown, an attempt in which the Tigers failed to score … led the secondary with seven tackles, the best of the season, against Texas A&M … lost the last two games of the regular season with an ankle injury … returned to the Belk Bowl, where he recorded six tackles, including a sack against Virginia … nominated for the SEC First Year Academic Honor.