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When a Carolina Panthers legend speaks, fans listen. And when that legend is Thomas Davis — a cornerstone of the franchise’s golden era — his words carry weight. So when Davis compared rookie wide receiver Jimmy Horn Jr. to one of the NFL’s most electrifying stars, ears perked up across Panthers Nation.
“When you watch Jimmy Horne Jr. play, he’s a ball of energy,” Davis said recently, raving about the sixth-round pick from Colorado. “He’s always smiling. He’s always excited. And not to mention the speed, the athleticism, and his ability to track the ball in the air is phenomenal.”
Horn Jr. has been one of the brightest surprises of the Panthers’ offseason. Clocked at 4.46 seconds in the 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine, the rookie is already showing flashes of elite-level speed during rookie minicamp. But for Davis, it’s not just Horn’s quick feet — it’s his swagger.
“If you watch NFL football, there’s a guy in the NFL that has the same celebration and the same kind of speed. And he throws up the deuces. And that’s Tyreek Hill,” Davis said. “That was the tribute to the cheetah right there.”
That comparison is no small compliment. Hill, a six-time Pro Bowler and Super Bowl champion, has redefined what speed looks like at the NFL level. If Horn Jr. is even a fraction of that, Carolina may have landed one of the biggest steals of the 2025 NFL Draft.
The Panthers’ receiving corps is in transition, and Horn Jr.’s versatility and explosiveness could be exactly what head coach Dave Canales needs to jumpstart the offense. More than anything, Horn’s attitude — that joyful, unrelenting energy — is already winning over veterans and coaches alike.
“That shows you that this guy has a ton of belief that he’s the fastest man on the field,” Davis added.
Panthers fans, take note: Jimmy Horn Jr. might be wearing No. 15, but his ceiling is looking like it could be a No. 1.
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“When you watch Jimmy Horne Jr. play, he’s a ball of energy,” Davis said recently, raving about the sixth-round pick from Colorado. “He’s always smiling. He’s always excited. And not to mention the speed, the athleticism, and his ability to track the ball in the air is phenomenal.”
Horn Jr. has been one of the brightest surprises of the Panthers’ offseason. Clocked at 4.46 seconds in the 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine, the rookie is already showing flashes of elite-level speed during rookie minicamp. But for Davis, it’s not just Horn’s quick feet — it’s his swagger.
“If you watch NFL football, there’s a guy in the NFL that has the same celebration and the same kind of speed. And he throws up the deuces. And that’s Tyreek Hill,” Davis said. “That was the tribute to the cheetah right there.”
That comparison is no small compliment. Hill, a six-time Pro Bowler and Super Bowl champion, has redefined what speed looks like at the NFL level. If Horn Jr. is even a fraction of that, Carolina may have landed one of the biggest steals of the 2025 NFL Draft.
The Panthers’ receiving corps is in transition, and Horn Jr.’s versatility and explosiveness could be exactly what head coach Dave Canales needs to jumpstart the offense. More than anything, Horn’s attitude — that joyful, unrelenting energy — is already winning over veterans and coaches alike.
“That shows you that this guy has a ton of belief that he’s the fastest man on the field,” Davis added.
Panthers fans, take note: Jimmy Horn Jr. might be wearing No. 15, but his ceiling is looking like it could be a No. 1.
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Related: Carolina Panthers make unexpected choice following NFL rule change
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