When the Colorado Buffaloes needed a spark against North Dakota State in the 2024 season opener, Shedeur Sanders stood in the pocket under a heavy rush and delivered.

Sanders hit receiver Jimmy Horn Jr. on a well-executed slant route for a 69-yard touchdown highlighted by the future Carolina Panthers draft pick outrunning Bisons defensive backs.

Before that play late in the first quarter, the Buffaloes failed to match the intensity of the underdog Bison, who stampeded to an early 117-65 passing yards advantage.

Considered a top NFL prospect in 2024, Sanders and Horn helped rally the Buffaloes to a win, with Sanders compiling 445 passing yards and four touchdowns while Horn posted 198 yards receiving.

After transferring to Colorado together in 2023, Horn (South Florida) and Sanders (Jackson State) started developing a brother-like relationship.

Colorado coach Deion Sanders grew into a significant figure to Horn, whose birth father is incarcerated.

After going to Carolina in the sixth round April’s draft, Horn joked about being the elder Sanders’ “favorite son.” “It feels good,” Horn said. “Having that bragging right. I love Coach Prime to death.”

‘Gonna be good to see him again’

Horn and the younger Sanders reunited briefly during Wednesday’s training camp joint practice at the Panthers’ practice fields behind Bank of America Stadium. They embraced and Sanders could be heard saying at the end of their exchange: “It’s business.”Horn replied: “You know it is.”

The “brothers” will see each other again Friday night, but on different sidelines when the Panthers face the visiting Browns at Bank of America Stadium.

“It’s gonna be exciting to see (Sanders) again,” Horn said last week. “Can’t wait to see how he’s doing out there, like see him in person and stuff. I talk to him here and there, but it’s just gonna be good to see him again.”

With Horn’s father incarcerated in Colorado on drug-related charges since 2021, the elder Sanders did more than coach Horn Jr.; he tackled the role of a father figure. “Coach Prime” walked beside Horn to celebrate Senior Day in November.

After watching Horn collect two touchdowns and make a touchdown-saving tackle on a fake punt attempt, Deion Sanders appeared on “What Needs to Be Said” podcast and declared: “Jimmy don’t play.

“Jimmy has got his pops on his mind. So, Jimmy has got a purpose.”

Since arriving in Carolina, Horn continues in to utilize his speed and precise route-running ability to stand out in training camp. On the Panthers’ initial preseason depth chart, Horn was listed with the third unit and returning kicks on special teams.

Horn is generating preseason buzz but he’s tuning out outside voices – at least until after cutdown day on Aug. 26.

“I appreciate all the hype and stuff, but I feel still like I haven’t done anything yet,” he said. “I haven’t played in no real NFL game yet. I still haven’t accomplished any goals or anything. I try not to feed into it. I just want to continue to prove myself every day and become a consistent player.”

Shedeur Sanders tries to stand out

With five quarterbacks in Charlotte, Browns coach Kevin Stefanski, a longtime friend of Panthers coach Dave Canales, named Sanders Friday’s starter. Tagged as a first-round talent, Sanders dropped to the fifth in April as NFL executives and scouts questioned his attitude and whether he could take coaching from anyone but his father.

Horn continues to support his “brother.”

“I know everything happens for a reason in life,” Horn said. “I feel like God’s got a plan for everything, so I just leave it up to God. That’s how I look at that situation.”

Deion Sanders sounded pumped on the podcast over his son starting opposite Carolina’s Bryce Young on Friday night. The Panthers’ third-year starter is projected to play at least one series, about “8-12 plays,” Canales said, detailing the coaching staff’s plan for the first team.

“You’re gonna have to let him play in the preseason,” Sanders said. “And I know my son, he’s gonna get that ball down the field.”

Horn’s situation with Carolina appears to be different, but no less cramped. In the new-look receivers’ room, the Panthers have 12 in camp. Six, maybe seven, will make the team.

Horn appears to be on track to make the 53-man roster. If the 5-foot-8, 174-pounder becomes exposed to the NFL waiver wire, he likely will find a new home in short order. Word spreads fast in NFL circles.

“I just love the way that he plays football,” Canales said. “It’s full speed all the time. He’s one of those guys. Everything he does is fast. He’s just all gas.”