From SEC Country
SNELLVILLE, Ga. — Jaycee Horn is a priority defensive back target for Alabama in the Class of 2018, but the Crimson Tide still need to make up some ground in order to land the 4-star prospect from Alpharetta (Ga.) High School.
Horn, the son of former New Orleans Saints wide receiver Joe Horn, told SEC Country at the Cam Newton 7v7 Memorial Day Tournament that Alabama is still on his mind daily, but it’s another SEC school that has the edge.
“South Carolina is still on top for me,” Horn said. “Coach (Will) Muschamp and Coach T-Will (defensive coordinator Travaris Williams) have done a really good job at maintaining a good relationship with me.”
The 6-foot, 174-pound prospect grew up a fan of Alabama — and even though South Carolina leads for his services right now — it’s my opinion that Horn will be a Crimson Tide commit at some point.
A few weeks ago when Horn changed his leader from Alabama to South Carolina, Tide defensive coordinator Jeremy Pruitt was at his school that day to watch practice and defensive backs coach Derrick Ansley reached out almost immediately to figure out what happened.
Horn is very much wanted by the Tide. His father even thinks Alabama is the closest program you can get to being in the NFL. There’s no doubt that the program will be a factor until he makes a final decision.
“Alabama is always going to be in the running for me,” Horn said. “I don’t know where I’m going to end up yet. Alabama definitely has a chance for me to go there. It’s a pretty good chance. I just really like Coach Ansley and how Alabama plays. I grew up loving Alabama. It’s pretty much been my favorite school since I was born.”
The lead South Carolina has over Alabama is slight. He said if the Gamecocks are at 100 percent right now, the Tide are at 90 percent with the Tennessee Volunteers being at 85 percent.
He believes the depth charts at Alabama and South Carolina are appealing, meaning that the opportunity for early playing time is possible at both schools.
“That’s the main thing I think about when I’m thinking about my decision,” Horn said. “Alabama is losing most of its secondary. Having a chance to come in and compete for a job is everything you can ask for as a recruit. It doesn’t get much better than that.”
It’s possible Horn is in Tuscaloosa this upcoming Sunday for one of Alabama’s camp sessions. The only scheduled visit he has right now is to Tennessee on June 17th. He wants to make it back to South Carolina and Tennessee, too.