South Carolina football: Jaycee Horn is SEC’s top defensive back

South Carolina football’s Jaycee Horn is the top DB in the SEC.

Cornerback Jaycee Horn put on a show in last Saturday’s upset win over No. 15 Auburn. The junior pulled in the first two interceptions of his career, and locked down the Tigers’ top receiver Seth Williams.

Horn held the talented pass catcher to just four receptions on 13 total targets, and the Gamecock offense was able to cash in touchdowns on both of his takeaways. His play was the difference in the eight-point win, as he made Williams and quarterback Bo Nix uncomfortable all day long.

The performance came as no shock to Horn and his Carolina teammates, but it took many outside the program by surprise. After earning both SEC and National Defensive Player of the Week honors, though, the college football world is starting to take notice of Horn’s status as the conference’s best defensive back.

His head coach certainly wasn’t caught off guard, and he believes he’s got the nation’s top player at the position.

"“If there’s a better corner out there, I want to see him. The guy’s elite. He’s an elite player.”"

Horn has been dominant since stepping foot on the South Carolina football field.

South Carolina’s lockdown corner has been impressive since cracking the starting lineup as a freshman. In fact, he became just the sixth true freshman in the last decade to start a Gamecocks’ season opener, joining the likes of first overall pick Jadeveon Clowney, reigning defensive player of the year Stephon Gilmore, South Carolina’s all-time leading receiver Bryan Edwards, and the program’s all-time leader in touchdowns, Marcus Lattimore. Not bad company.

Through his first two seasons, Horn played 1,426 snaps over 23 games. According to Pro Football Focus, the corner was targeted just 100 times in those more than 1,400 snaps, allowing a 57% catch percentage and two touchdowns.

This season, he’s built on that, and he’s developing a reputation as one of the best cover corners in the nation. Through four games, he’s allowed just four catches on 21 targets, a 19.1% completion rate. This typically coming against his opponent’s top pass catcher.

This will probably be Horn’s last season in a South Carolina football uniform.

Horn’s success has the defender climbing up NFL draft boards. In the latest release from CBS Sports, he’s been projected as a late first-round pick, being taken with the 29th overall pick by the Pittsburgh Steelers. He’s continued to improve his stock in 2020, and has another huge opportunity this weekend versus LSU.

Here’s what CBS analysts have said about Horn’s draft outlook.

"Horn was a monster against Auburn over the weekend, and he’s a long-time, battled-tested starter in the SEC with 23 pass breakups to his name in his South Carolina career."

When the Gamecocks travel to Baton Rouge on Saturday, Horn will likely be responsible for shadowing the Tigers’ star wideout Terrace Marshall, Jr. Marshall is the SEC’s second leading receiver, averaging 141.3 yards a game. He’s tied for the conference lead in touchdown receptions despite having played just three games (LSU’s last game was postponed due to COVID).

Horn will have his work cut out for him, but he’s not backing down from the challenge.

"“Jaycee is a very, very competitive young man,” said head coach Will Muschamp. “He likes to compete at the highest level. He wants to be on the best matchup every week.”"

The Gamecocks kick off at 7 PM this Saturday on ESPN. We’ll see if Horn can continue his dominance of opposing receivers.