On Monday, Alpharetta (Ga.) four-star defensive back Jaycee Horn announced via social media that he received an offer from Clemson.
“It felt real good getting that offer from Clemson,” Horn told The Clemson Insider. “I mean they’re the defending national champions, so it’s great being an athlete and having the number one school in the nation pursuing you.”
Horn, the son of former NFL wide receiver Joe Horn, committed to Tennessee in August over finalists Alabama and South Carolina.
Clemson initiated contact with him in the spring before ramping up communication recently.
“Coach Venables came to my school last spring, and he was telling me they’re very interested and stuff like that,” Horn said. “So I kind of was expecting the offer.”
The interest is mutual, with Horn and his father having traveled to Death Valley for Clemson’s 14-6 victory over Auburn last month.
“It was a great experience,” Horn said. “It was a night game, so it was real exciting. A lot of people there. It was a great experience.”
After adding the offer from the Tigers, Horn is already eyeing another visit to Clemson this season.
“I’m going to go check them out,” he said. “Most likely the Georgia Tech game they play (on Oct. 28). I might go back up there then.”
Horn (6-1, 175) has been straightforward since his commitment about his intent to still visit other schools, and he has done that so far this season. After seeing Clemson, Horn went to South Carolina the following weekend for its game against Kentucky before attending Georgia’s game versus Mississippi State on Sept. 23. He was in Knoxville for Tennessee’s 41-0 loss to Georgia last weekend.
The consensus top-300 prospect nationally continues to be courted by a list of high-profile programs.
“I’m hearing from Georgia, Ohio State, Clemson, South Carolina, Ole Miss,” Horn said. “There’s still some schools pursuing me.”
Despite the questions surrounding the job security of Butch Jones at Tennessee, Horn says he remains committed to the Volunteers.
“I’m still firm on the pledge,” he said. “They’re having a rough season right now, but we have a top class signed, so I think me and those guys will be able to go in there and make a change.”
Clemson, though, figures to be a factor after offering.
“Really just the culture there,” Horn said when asked what stands out to him about the program. “It’s a real family-type school. Coach Venables was telling me on the phone how the main thing he likes about me is my versatility. This year I played mostly safety, and that’s what he likes. I can play corner, safety, nickel.
“I like coach Venables. He keeps it 100 with you, he just tells you what it is and what it isn’t, and that’s all you can really ask for as an athlete is to have a coach that tells it real.”
Horn plans to take his official visits after the season. He said it is too early to say whether Clemson will get one of the visits.
As a junior last season, Horn logged 29 tackles and six interceptions including a pick-six. He is ranked by ESPN as the No. 20 cornerback and No. 145 overall prospect in the 2018 class.