Deion Sanders is not just another coach. He is known as Coach Prime for a reason. But more than putting his student-athletes into the NFL, it is his ability to connect with them at a deeper, personal level that makes everyone want to play for him. And that’s exactly how Carolina Panthers’ WR Jimmy Horn Jr. too chose to play for the Colorado Buffaloes head coach with whom he has, “A great relationship, it’s like a father and son relationship.” And as the WR begins his new career in the professional world, he has a special tribute to his former coach who gave him a “One of a kind experience” and has been a constant presence beside the Florida native.

Jimmy Horn Jr. was picked in the 6 round with the No. 208 pick by the Carolina Panthers. But his journey until that momentous announcement was not easy. Horn Jr. was missing an important family member during the entirety of his collegiate career: his father, Jimmy Horn Sr., who is currently serving time and could not see his son make these achievements in life. However, filling in for him was Deion Sanders himself. Coach Prime has been nothing short of a father figure for the young WR and was crucial in his development. Horn Jr., too, knows how special that man is, so when the question comes up, he has nothing but respect and love for the Hall of Famer.

In the media availability after his rookie minicamp, a reporter asked Jr., “Coming from Colorado, having kind of that NFL kind of program, how do you think that prepared you?” Without wasting a breath, Jimmy responded, “It prepared me real good. Our practices at Colorado are like 15 minutes longer than this. Coach Prime practice pretty good. And he ran the system out there pretty similar a little bit too.”

Following that, another reporter asked him what it was like playing for Coach Prime, he told the press, “It was fun playing for Coach Prime. You know, it was a pleasure to play for him. You know, he helped me in life. And, like, that environment out there in Boulder itself was just different. It was one of a kind environment too. I love that city of Boulder.” Horn Jr. first met Sanders at his high school. Once in Colorado, Coach Prime took it upon himself to make sure the WR’s father could be proud of him.

Horn Jr. scored a crucial 45-yard touchdown catching from Shedeur, at the tail end of the Colorado State game in 2023, allowing it to advance to overtime. But the highlight of the game was the powerful message Sanders shared with the WR right before that clutch TD.

“[Guess] what, pop is at the crib, and he’s incarcerated watching you right now. And he wants to clap in front of all his different inmates because he believes in his son. We’re gonna make pop proud tonight. That’s what we’re gonna do because his son is a dog. Now you go out there and show the world who you are,” Coach Prime told Taylor Rooks of Bleacher Report. Sanders also accompanied Horn Jr. to a prison visit to see his father and also appealed to a judge in favor of him.

The WR’s father couldn’t help but send his appreciation for Deion Sanders in a letter, which proves how much his support means to him. Horn Sr. wrote, “You say you be there for my son Jimmy Horn Jr. also including me.” Then he attached a photo of the three of them as “proof.” Coach Prime also walked with Horn Jr. on Colorado’s Senior Day, filling in for his father’s absence. Horn Jr. was almost like a son to Deion Sanders, and everything he learned as a result of that special bond is finally getting its due results.

Horn Jr. is “flying” at Carolina, thanks to Deion Sanders’ “special” coaching

Jimmy Horn Jr. is creating quite the buzz at Carolina, particularly for his speed. He’s not like your usual WR, but he’s got some serious athleticism in him. He already trounced the 40-yard dash at the Combine by running a beyond-impressive 4.46. Horn Jr., however, thought that was not his best. He turned that into a further jaw-dropping finish of reported 4.40 at Colorado’s Pro Day.

“I’ll be flying,” he told the media. And fly he will. What caught the eyes of everyone at camp was a seamless 90-degree cut he made. In fact, such was his performance that day that he was even appreciated by Grammy-nominated rapper Wale on X. He wrote, “Jimmy Horn Jr gon really go crazy year 1 you can see it a mile away.” He also said in another tweet, “He’s an example of somebody who get better every year . He got it fr.”

“It was a great experience. It was fun. You know, one of a kind experience that I’ll never get the experience again playing for Coach Prime, specifically,” Jimmy Horn Jr. said about his time with the iconic NFL legend. It’s one thing to have the man as a coach. But to have him as a father figure? A surreal experience. And he’s making sure Coach Prime knows how special he is to his career.