A costly season-opening turnover and roster restructuring end the former Buffaloes star's tenure in Carolina, as the team swaps return-game potential for defensive depth at linebacker.
The Carolina Panthers have parted ways with wide receiver Jimmy Horn Jr., the team announced Tuesday.
The former Colorado Buffaloes star, who was drafted by Carolina in the sixth-round of the 2025 NFL Draft, appeared in 15 games during his first stop in the NFL. Horn muffed a punt in Sunday’s season-opening 59-37 loss against the Chicago Bears. The mistake led to a turnover during one of the hottest games ever played at Bank of America Stadium.
Horn made Carolina's initial 53-man roster in both of his NFL seasons, and served as the primary returner on Sunday. He worked himself into being a fan favorite in the region after spending his final two collegiate seasons with Deion Sanders and Colorado.
The Panthers waived Horn to make room for the addition of inside linebacker Tyrel Dodson. Horn racked up 11 receptions for 108 yards. He also had eight carries for 69 yards out of the backfield. His first NFL touchdown has yet to happen.
Horn had 162 receptions for 1,967 yards and 13 total touchdowns during his collegiate career between Colorado and South Florida. He also threw for a score during the 2023 season with the Buffs. Many people remember Coach Prime walking with him at Folsom Field due to his father, Jimmy Sr., being incarcerated. Sanders even lobbied the court handling Horn's case to make arrangements for his father to be closer to his son.
Colorado had four players, including Horn, who were taken in the 2025 NFL Draft. Travis Hunter went No. 2 overall to the Jacksonville Jaguars as one of the most dynamic players in recent memory. The two-way Heisman Trophy winner was also the highest drafted cornerback and second-highest drafted wide receiver in NFL history. He matched the highest draft pick in CU history alongside Bo Matthews (No. 2 overall to the San Diego Chargers in 1974). Hunter is just the fourth top 5 pick in CU history, also joining Byron White (No.4 to the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1938) and Michael Westbrook (No. 4 to Washington in 1995).
Hunter became the most decorated player in college football history two years ago, being named the consensus national player of the year by winning the Heisman Trophy, Walter Camp Award and both the AP and Sporting News Player of the Year honors. He was also repeated as the Paul Hornung Award (most versatile player) while winning the Bednarik Award and Lott IMPACT Trophy as national defensive player of the year and the Biletnikoff Award as the best receiver regardless of position.
Like Horn, LaJohntay Wester was taken in the sixth round of the Draft. He has come into his own with the Baltimore Ravens and is a key part of the offense.
Shedeur Sanders took a slide in the Draft after being taken No. 144 overall by the Cleveland Browns. The quarterback for Hunter, Horn and Wester finished the 2024 season as the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Winner. Sanders was the 16th player in FBS & FCS history to throw for 14,000 career yards and, among those 16 players, ranks first for fewest career interceptions and is one of just two that has completed over 70 percent of their career passes (Colt Brennan, Hawaii).
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