Jaycee Horn thought Panthers didn’t like him after 2021 pre-draft interview

The first round of the 2021 NFL draft looked to be unraveling perfectly for the Carolina Panthers. When the quarterback-needy franchise was put on the clock with the eighth overall pick, University of Ohio State star Justin Fields—one of the class’ top passing prospects—remained there for the taking.

But the name that was ultimately on their card was a bit of a surprise to many, and perhaps even to the player that name belonged to.

And that was University of South Carolina cornerback Jaycee Horn, who recently joined Adam Breneman on the Next Up Podcast to discuss a number of topics. Among the conversations they touched upon was Horn’s pre-draft interviewing process, one that included what he initially believed to be a sour meeting with the Panthers.

“I actually thought they didn’t like me,” Horn said. “Carolina, they was just kinda hard on me. Like, kinda stern. So I wasn’t really a fan of the meeting. I was like, ‘That didn’t go too good.’”

Well, it went good enough—and it’s gone pretty good since.

Horn, despite having missed 18 games between his first two seasons, has proven worthy of that eighth overall selection. This past year, he allowed the fewest catches, fewest yards and lowest passer rating amongst all starting corners.

He did, though, get a little hint of Carolina’s intentions before he heard his name called almost two years ago.

“But the night before the draft, I talked to Coach [Matt] Rhule and kinda had an idea they was gonna grab me,” he added. “So I was just excited when I got the call.”

See! They liked you after all, Jaycee.

Jaycee Horn was STUNNED when he got picked by the Carolina Panthers with the 8th overall pick.

He even said “I thought they didn’t like me…” @jayceehorn_10 @NextUpWithAdam @TeamM3rcury pic.twitter.com/abt3m0Gu3H

— Adam Breneman (@AdamBreneman81) February 17, 2023