How Panthers’ Jaycee Horn has prepared South Carolina’s Cam Smith, Darius Rush for NFL
Carolina Panthers cornerback Jaycee Horn was drafted two years ago, but his presence is still being felt at the annual NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis this week.
South Carolina cornerbacks Cam Smith and Darius Rush are set to enter the NFL draft this offseason after stellar college careers with the Gamecocks. And while Horn hasn’t been their teammate for two seasons, the former first-round pick and fellow Gamecock has influenced them both on the way to the NFL.
“Jaycee Horn, being the kind of guy he is and his press technique — I kind of modeled my game after him in terms of that,” Rush said Thursday. “Being around him and seeing the kind of player he was — not only just on the field but off the field — his characteristics and how great of a person he was. I kind modeled my game after him.”
“Having him giving me pointers and stuff like that — watching film,” Smith said, “that really was big.”
Horn, 23, is coming off a strong second season in Carolina, having led the Panthers with 3 interceptions during the campaign.
The second-generation pro — the son of former NFL wideout Joe Horn — is known for his attention to detail and football IQ. Horn is also a sound technician with a strong work ethic, and those traits have set an example for both Rush and Smith on the way to the big leagues.
Horn has also reached out to both prospects to offer encouragement heading into the draft process.
“He would (direct message) me sometimes — we weren’t having extreme long conversations — but just he would give encouraging words,” Rush said. “So I took that into consideration of like he’s a guy that I can always lean to if I need be.”
Smith, 21, is projected by several analysts as a potential first-round pick. A versatile cornerback with an aggressive style, Smith produced 91 tackles, 18 pass breakups and 6 interceptions during his four-year career at South Carolina.
Along with Horn, Smith has also been influenced by another former South Carolina cornerback in Stephon Gilmore. The 2019 NFL Defensive Player of the Year has been a steady example for Smith to follow throughout his football career.
“I always grew up watching Stephon (Gilmore) at South Carolina, and with the Patriots and the Colts,” Smith said. “I’ve just always been around him.”
Rush — a wide receiver-turned-cornerback — is still relatively new to the position, as he had to wait until 2021 to see regular snaps as a starting defensive back. And while he’s still learning the job, Rush, 23, has been able to stand out amid the growing pains that come with switching positions — at least partially — because of the influence of Gamecocks defensive backs coach Torrian Gray.
During his four years at cornerback, Rush produced 75 tackles, 15 pass breakups and 3 interceptions. He was also a standout at the Reese’s Senior Bowl in Mobile, Alabama last month.
Rush — who also lists Dallas Cowboys cornerback Trevon Diggs as an influence — hopes teams appreciate how quickly he’s developed at the position. In his mind, he solidified his standing at the start of the draft process.
“One thing I think I proved at the Senior Bowl is that I’m a (defensive back), whether it’s playing two years or playing 10 years,” Rush said. “I’m fairly new to the position, and that is true that I switched over in 2019, so I may not have as much experience as guys that have been playing (cornerback) their whole career. But one thing I proved there is I’m a DB, and I’m able to do what guys have been able to do for 10 years.”
