The Carolina Panthers are 7-6 and in the driver’s seat to control their destiny in the NFC South. One of the most significant reasons for this turnaround is the Panthers’ defense’s improvement this season. Once one of the worst units in the NFL last year, this year they have taken a step forward and are contributing to winning.
In the Panthers’ win over the Los Angeles Rams, they forced three turnovers, including a pick-six and the game-sealing fumble. While he did not play against the Rams, one of the biggest reasons for the Panthers’ defensive turnaround is star cornerback Jaycee Horn.
Horn is second in the NFC with five interceptions, but he is the leading vote-getter among cornerbacks on the most recent list released by the NFL. Horn would make his second Pro Bowl in a row and one step closer to establishing himself among the elites in the NFL.
Respect Around the League
Jaycee Horn has earned not only the respect of fans across the league but also that of players on opposing teams.
Christian McCaffrey is the San Francisco 49ers’ star running back. He was Horn’s teammate his rookie season and had high praise for him before the 49ers faced the Panthers, a game in which Horn had two interceptions in the first half before leaving with a concussion.
WCCB-TV’s Kelli Bartik provided a video of McCaffrey praising Horn as one of the best cornerbacks in football.
“He doesn’t get enough credit,” McCaffrey said. “I think he’s one of the best corners that I’ve seen up close and in person. He’s another guy that has everything you could ever want in a corner, but my favorite thing about him is his mindset, and the energy and intensity it brings to the field.”
Just as McCaffrey knew Horn would develop into someone special, so did his defensive coordinator.
Evero Knew Horn Would Be Special
Ejiro Evero is in his third season as the Panthers’ defensive coordinator, and over that time, he’s witnessed Jaycee Horn’s growth.
Horn’s biggest issue during his first three years in the NFL was health-related. He missed 29 games over his first three seasons. Now, despite missing the Panthers’ most recent game, Horn had remained healthy and developed into a complete corner.
In Kassidy Hill and Darin Gantt’s November 27 article for Panthers.com , Evero spoke about Horn’s development.
“He’s certainly grown,” said Evero of his star cornerback on Wednesday. “Our first year with him was challenging just because there’s so many games missed, and at that position in our defense, you really have to play a lot to kind of learn all the nuances and how we’re going to feature him and all that.”
While Horn being the number one vote getter for cornerbacks is an outstanding personal achievement, Horn and the Panthers are eager for Horn to get back on the field as the Panthers attempt to win the NFC South for the first time since they went all the way to the Super Bowl back in 2015.
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