ESPN hails UCF's Tyren Hornes as the 2026 receiver with the highest NFL potential, citing his dynamic skills and competitive drive.
2026 4-star wide receiver Tyren Hornes was one of the last major additions UCF brought in, securing Hornes' commitment in early January.
Hornes announced his commitment at the Under Armour All-America game, where he returned for a second-consecutive season. Last year, Hornes won the MVP of the event, foreshadowing an impressive senior season at Booker High School.
Now, as Hornes looks ahead to college and beyond, national media outlets are taking notice of Hornes' production and skillset.
Early Thursday morning, ESPN released an article highlighting the most college-ready and highest NFL-upside players in the 2026 class.
Hornes, ranked the No. 23 receiver in the class by 247 Sports, was chosen as the receiver with the most NFL-upside, as ESPN writers Craig Haubert and Tom Luginbill wrote about the traits Hornes possesses.
"Top NFL receivers are smart, tough, dynamic and ultra-competitive. Tyren Hornes meets the criteria. He arrives at UCF with plenty of physical intangibles like excellent ball skills as well as a professional attitude. Get the ball in his hands and he's going to make plays. He's a high-energy player who loves to compete," they wrote. "Hornes is also very light on his feet with excellent agility and suddenness to separate as a route runner. As a pass catcher, he's advanced with quick hands and naturally extends to pluck the ball out of the air. Hornes could line up outside as a vertical threat, or comfortably move inside to the slot, and he's a good open-field runner who could be deployed in bubble screens and jet sweeps as well. He can create mismatches and big-time YAC, which is coveted in both college and the NFL."
These findings reflected the analysis written by Andrew Ivins, 247 Sports Director of Scouting, in the November prior to Hornes' signing.
"Advanced route runner with noticeable juice in the lower half that can make extremely difficult catches while also capitalizing on his catch-and-run opportunities," Ivins wrote.
Hornes gained major traction on the recruiting trail following his MVP performance at the All-American camp, picking up offers from big-name programs like Georgia, Florida State and Auburn shortly after.
"[Hornes} put up video game-like numbers as a junior before reeling in pretty much everything that came his way at an Under Armour Next camp in advance of senior year," Ivins wrote.
Hornes rode this momentum through his senior year, catching 42 passes for 646 yards and nine touchdowns in ten games.
Hornes will join a wide receiver room that is returning a lot of production, including: junior Duane "Speedy" Thomas, freshman Waden Charles and junior tight end Dylan Wade, who set the program-record for yards by a tight-end last season.