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Colorado's Jimmy Horn Jr. hauled in seven passes for 198 yards and a touchdown in the Buffaloes' season-opening win against North Dakota State on Aug. 29. (Cliff Grassmick/Staff Photographer)
Colorado’s Jimmy Horn Jr. hauled in seven passes for 198 yards and a touchdown in the Buffaloes’ season-opening win against North Dakota State on Aug. 29. (Cliff Grassmick/Staff Photographer)

For Jimmy Horn Jr., putting up big numbers on game day is what he strives to do every week.

Being able to share the moment, in a way, with his father made it more special, though.

In Colorado’s 31-26 victory against North Dakota State on Aug. 29, Horn caught seven passes for a career-high 198 yards and a touchdown. Afterward, he called his father, also named Jimmy Horn, who is incarcerated in Florida on drug-related charges.

“I was able to talk to him,” Horn said Thursday after practice as the Buffs prepare to face Nebraska in Lincoln, Neb., on Saturday (5:30 p.m. MT, NBC). “He’s about to get shipped off to the prison, so that was my last time talking to him before. So, you know, I just got to go even harder.”

The elder Horn had been serving time on a separate drug charge. But he was sentenced to 87 months in a Florida state prison facility for another charge on Aug. 14. According to public records, he began his time at the state facility on Wednesday.

CU head coach Deion Sanders has been impressed with the younger Horn’s ability to remain focused on the game during adverse times.

“Jimmy’s gonna give you every darn thing he has and with the burden that he has on his shoulders; I mean, Jimmy’s playing for pop, man,” Sanders said after the win against NDSU. “Jimmy just came back from court seeing his father’s sentence, man. He’s gonna turn around and flip it and come out there and get you that?

“That was our conversation. Like, boy, you know pop jamming in that thing right now. That keeps him going, because he’s trying to make it right for pops when he gets out, man. So I’m so appreciative of him, and I love him like a darn son, man. I’m so proud of him as well.”

A senior receiver with NFL aspirations, Horn has had other big games during his career and he’s put up impressive numbers. Between his time at South Florida and CU, he’s caught 132 passes for 1,724 yards and 11 touchdowns. But, talking with his father after the opener made it a memorable night.

“It just felt good to talk to him,” he said. “That just pushes me even more. It’s a lot of adversity that go on through life. You gotta keep thriving and pushing through it. That game, that was a career high game for me. I ain’t gonna let that get to me. I’m just gonna keep going, keep grinding. I’m hungry.”

Receiver Jimmy Horn Jr. (5) is greeted by head coach Deion Sanders after his touchdown during the Colorado and North Dakota State University football game on Aug. 29, 2024 In Boulder.(Cliff Grassmick/Staff Photographer)
Receiver Jimmy Horn Jr. (5) is greeted by head coach Deion Sanders after his touchdown during the Colorado and North Dakota State University football game on Aug. 29, 2024 In Boulder.(Cliff Grassmick/Staff Photographer)

Much of Horn’s hunger comes from within, but he’s also got a strong support system at CU, led by Coach Prime.

“It means a lot, man, just another good father figure … a great father figure,” he said of Coach Prime. “So, like, that’s a lot. That means a lot to me (for him) to have my back and the people around, too, like the coaching staff.”

Receivers coach Jason Phillips is another coach in Horn’s corner. Phillips has a routine of walking around and interacting and hugging players at the start of practice and he’s been a good mentor for Horn.

“It’s just a good feeling to have a coach like that,” Horn said.

For Phillips, it’s a good feeling to have a player like Horn. The Buffs are loaded at receiver, including Travis Hunter, LaJohntay Wester and Will Sheppard, but Horn brings his unique personality and style to the table every day.

“Jimmy comes to work every day with the mindset of a pro,” Phillips said. “That’s the only thing he knows. He gives us his best effort on every day, so it’s been joyful to coach him on the field, but off the field he’s a great kid, very joyful, pleasure to be around.”

After his big game against NDSU, Horn picked up a bunch of new followers on social media, and Nebraska head coach Matt Rhule called him a difference maker. What means the most to Horn, however, is playing for his family and his team.

“There’s a lot of attention that comes with this stuff,” he said. “Just keep my head up and keep going. Don’t worry about that stuff, because that ain’t what got me here.

“I just gotta go out there and play. Just go out there and do me.”

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