PSO Scouting Report: CB Jaycee Horn (South Carolina)

PSO’s original Scouting Reports strive to be uniquely valuable in evaluating a player’s future outlook by focusing on the four main subjects that summarize a player’s likelihood of succeeding at the next level including: Natural Physical Tools, College Game Film, proven Production, and overall Risk that each individual player presents to a team drafting him. For a full breakdown of PSO’s Scouting Reports, click here.

Bio

Pos: CB

Hometown: Alpharetta, GA

School: South Carolina

Class: Junior

DOB: 11/26/1999 (21)

Height: 6’1″ (75%) | Weight: 205 lbs (91%)

Hands: N/A | Arms: 33” (93%)

Bench: 19 reps (89%) | 40-YD: 4.39s (85%)

Interesting Facts

Son of former Pro Bowl WR Joe Horn
Explosive athlete — 4.39s 40-YD, 41.5″ vert, 133″ broad
SEC All-Freshman; 3-year starting CB
Originally committed to Tennessee before changing to SC
Opted out of 2020 season after dismissal of HC Will Muschamp on 11/16/20

Physical Tools

Pros

Great frame — 6’0″, 205 lbs
Fantastic length — 33″ arms
Terrific long speed (4.39 40-YD)
Explosive lower body — 41.5” vertical, 133” broad
Upper-body strength (19 bench reps)
Short-area quickness and hip flexibility

Cons

Did not participate in agility drills (shuttle, 3-cone)

Grade: A+

Game Film

Pros

Strong jab at the LOS consistently disrupts releases
Punches are typically well-timed and well-placed
Every inch of positioning requires a dogfight
Does well to stay overtop and remain within reach of his matchup
Physicality shows up at the LOS, catch point, and in run support
Natural instincts to flip and locate the ball as soon as he’s in position
Terrific ball skills, very disruptive at the catch point
Absolutely dominated Auburn WR Seth Williams (10 TGT, 2 REC, 55 YDS)

Cons

Reactions on route breaks could improve, guesses too often
Can get reckless and out of control, lunging and grabbing
Physical in run support but not yet a quality tackler

Grade: A-

Production

Pros

Forced 6 incompletions, only 5 of 21 targets completed in 2020
23 career PBUs, 2 FFs despite lack of INTs
Depth of targets averaged 12 yards downfield
Sub-40 passer rating allowed on throws under 20 yards
Extensive experience on the outside — 1,180 career snaps
Strong 73.4 overall grade as a freshman, mainly in the slot (330 snaps)
1,892 career snaps over 30 games at CB

Cons

Called for 5 penalties throughout 2020
Only 2 career INTs (both vs. Auburn in 2020)
Below-average run-defense grade (65.6)

Grade: A-

Risk

Pros

Ideal combination of size, length, athleticism
Alpha-dog mentality needed for a press-man CB
Experienced on both the outside (1,180 snaps) and in the slot (464)
Strong, competitive, and instinctual at the catch point
Ability to re-route and jam WRs at the LOS translates to the NFL
Terrific speed to keep pace and stay overtop
3-year impact starter in CFB’s premier conference
NFL genetics — father WR Joe Horn

Cons

Opted out after HC Will Muschamp’s dismissal
Controlled aggression — over-physicality has led to penalties
Technical refinements and tackling improvements
Never produced at an elite level

Grade: A-

Overall

One of several children of former pro’s in this class, Jaycee Horn ironically plays the opposite of his father’s position (WR). Gifted with prototypical size, length, and fantastic athleticism, he’s an incredibly rugged man-to-man talent. Constantly hand-fighting throughout each and every route, Horn not only turns every rep into a battle of wills, but also has the speed to keep pace with the burners of the NFL.

More than just pure physicality, however, he’s also displayed some strong ball skills and overall defensive instincts, sticking his nose wherever he can. While it’s one of his greatest strengths, he’ll certainly need an emphasis on controlling that aggression and physicality. He has room for growth in off-coverage for that reason, but his comfortability and skill in press-man is quite impressive. The 21-year-old has a very bright future in the NFL with plenty of potential to cement a new legacy for the Horn family.

Pro Comp: CB Stephon Gilmore (New England Patriots)

Projected Round: Top-15 Pick

Prime Destinations: DET, CAR, DAL, PHI, LAC, ARZ, LVR

OVERALL Grade: A-