Joe Horn is one of the best receivers to ever play for the New Orleans Saints, he’s currently third all-time on the franchise’s list in both yards and receptions and made the Pro Bowl four times in his seven seasons with the franchise.
His son, Jaycee Horn, is now preparing to start his own NFL career and he’s looking to become a franchise’s all-time great as well.
The South Carolina cornerback thinks he’s the best defensive player in this draft and, regardless of where he winds up or how he gets there, he’s looking to prove that on the field.
“When I say I’m the best defensive player in the draft that’s not a statement to get teams to be like “Ooh, he’s got good confidence.’ I actually feel that way,” He said. “So, no matter if I’m first round, seventh round, undrafted, when I step on the field, I’ll show that.”
Horn demonstrated his abilities during his three seasons at South Carolina earning All-SEC honors in 2020. He posted impressive numbers breaking up 23 passes and picking off two through his 30 games with the Gamecocks. That sort of production has him projected as a first-round pick.
Playing cornerback distinguishes him from his father and siblings who all played receiver. But the 6-foot-1, 205-pound cornerback said his father was the one who actually encouraged him to play on the defensive side of the ball.
“It’s crazy. My dad kind of pushed me that way just because of the aggression I had growing up,” he said. “And, you know, my ball skills. He always harped if I could do that at the cornerback position, one day I could make a lot of money.”
Horn said he now sometimes messes with his father by telling him that he wouldn’t be able to get open if he were covering him. He does credit his father with helping to shape him as a player and said he embraced the attention that came with being the son of such a prominent player.
Because of that, he knows he has to work hard to demonstrate why he deserves that attention and said Monday he already has plans to attack his weaknesses ahead of the draft.
“I know it’s a thing they do in the league, off man, playing in a peddle,” he said. “That’s going to be one of the main focal points after pro day in my training, and tackling.
“ I definitely could be a better tackler just from a technique standpoint, keeping my head up and stuff like that, pad level, my eyes… all the little stuff as a DB.
“I think I checked every box. I have the athletic ability and the size to do everything. Now it’s just putting it all together in one box and being more consistent play in and play out.”
Horn said he has no preference of which team, coach or city he suits up for, he just wants to play football.
