Texas A&M Aggies tight end Jalen Wydermyer (85) scores on a touchdown reception past South Carolina Gamecocks defensive back Israel Mukuamu (24) and South Carolina Gamecocks defensive back Jaycee Horn (1) in the second quarter at Williams-Brice Stadium. Jeff Blake-USA TODAY Sports

South Carolina CB Jaycee Horn opts out to prepare for NFL Draft

Shortly after the South Carolina Gamecocks parted ways with head coach Will Muschamp, a key figure of the team's defense also exited the program. 

Star cornerback Jaycee Horn, the son of former NFL wide receiver Joe Horn, confirmed on Twitter that he's opting out of the remainder of the college season to prepare for the 2021 NFL Draft. 

South Carolina lost to the Ole Miss Rebels 59-42 on Saturday to fall to 2-5 on the season. 

Horn leaves the Gamecocks tied for the team lead with two interceptions and the squad's sole leader in passes defended with six. In total, Horn tallied three sacks, 69 tackles and the two interceptions that he recorded earlier this year during his South Carolina career. 

Mel Kiper of ESPN listed Horn as the sixth-best cornerback entering the draft in his rankings updated on Nov. 11. However, Charlie Campbell of Walter Football has Horn as the second-best player at the position in his class and projects that the junior could rise as high as a first-round selection by next spring. 

While teammate Israel Mukuamu has gotten more media attention, some team sources like Horn more as a prospect for the NFL," Campbell recently explained. They feel that Horn is a more fluid athlete and faster. Those evaluators like Horn's ability to run the route and prevent separation. Horn broke into the starting lineup as a true freshman and showed improvement in his sophomore season. He has quality size to him and has shown a nice ability to break up passes.

Horn is listed at 6-foot-1 and 205 pounds by the school. 

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