Jaycee Horn focused on getting better after hot start to camp

Panthers first-round draft pick Jaycee Horn has made quite the name for himself in Carolina before ever suiting up for an actual game. Through the first five days of training camp, Horn has pulled in three interceptions and garnered a lot of praise from teammates, media and coaches alike.

The rookie from South Carolina isn’t getting too worked up over training camp highlights though.

“It felt good, but ‘what’s next?’ is kind of the mentality we try to bring,” Horn told the Charlotte Observer. “I was just ready for the next play.”

Jaycee Horn is a little different from most rookies. He’s been here before. Not in this exact position, but he’s seen what it takes to succeed at the highest level up close.

Horn’s father, Joe Horn, spent over 11 years in the league as a wide receiver with the Kansas City Chiefs, the New Orleans Saints and the Atlanta Falcons. The older Horn racked up four 1000+ yard seasons in five years between 2000 and 2005.

The experience of watching his father’s career growing up certainly helped the younger Horn’s development to this point but at the end of the day, no matter who you are, it takes time to adjust to the speed of the NFL game.

“This is the NFL,” Horn told the Charlotte Observer. “It’s going to be days you get beat, it’s going to be days you make plays, you’ve just got to stay on one level and try to get better every day and that’s kind of the mindset I’m trying to have.” 

Panthers head coach Matt Rhule didn’t hesitate to critique the rookie cornerback.

“Jaycee is grabbing and holding too much,” Rhule told the Charlotte Observer. “A lot of those calls are going to get called back. I love Jaycee’s tenacity, but he’s got to master his craft along the way and he knows that.”

Horn agreed.

“I definitely need to work on it,” Horn said. “I definitely need to keep my hands out of there, but also still bring the physical mindset and physical attitude to the game.” 

The critique doesn’t take away from the positives though. Jaycee Horn has lived up to his draft spot and more so far.

In his three years at South Carolina, Horn had 101 tackles, two sacks, two interceptions and 23 passes deflected. Last season , Horn only played in seven games before opting out after former head coach Will Muschamp was fired.