Many players across the NFL faced decision day on Tuesday as the annual pink-slip cut day whittled down names to the official 53-man roster.
Jimmy Horn Jr., the former Sanford Seminole player who didn’t even have a 247 Sports recruiting profile until late in his senior year (2020-21), was one of several former Central Florida stars to survive roster cuts, latching on with the Carolina Panthers.
Horn, who went on to play two seasons at USF before moving on to Colorado, was drafted in the sixth round by the Panthers in the April draft, the 208th overall selection.
It was at Colorado where he started to gain attention under the watchful eye of coach Deion Sanders and alongside receivers such as Heisman Trophy winner Travis Hunter and former Orlando Christian Prep star Xavier Weaver, who also made the cut Tuesday, snaring a roster spot with the Arizona Cardinals.
Horn joins a long list of former Seminole players to make it to the NFL, with most recent being former UCF star receiver Gabe Davis, who played his first four seasons with the Buffalo Bills and was with the Jacksonville Jaguars last season, although he was injured most of the year. He is currently pondering his next move as a free agent.
There have been nine former Seminole players make it to the NFL, most notably QB Jeff Blake, who played at East Carolina and then spent 13 seasons in the NFL with the Jets, Bengals, Saints, Ravens, Cardinals, Eagles and Bears. DE Ray-Ray Armstrong played for eight teams (2013-20), OL Jeff Faine played for four (2003-2012) and there was also DL Ron Moore (Falcons, 2001), RB Reggie Branch (Redskins, 1985-89), DE Charles Riggins (Bucs, 1987), and RB-DB Don Jackson (Eagles, 1936). OL Kadeem Edwards was drafted in 2014 but never made the Cowboys roster.
Former Edgewater High and UCF star running back RJ Harvey enters his rookie season with the Denver Broncos. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
Former Jones/Southern Illinois safety PJ Jules made the cut with the Bengals after back-and-forth roster moves a year ago. He has yet to play in an NFL game.
Other rookies from Central Florida to make 53-man rosters Tuesday were former Edgewater and UCF standout running back RJ Harvey, now with the Broncos; former Foundation Academy and Oklahoma linebacker Danny Stutsman, with the Saints; and former Ocoee and Maryland defensive tackle Jordan Phillips, with the Dolphins.
A pair of ninth-year players lead the list of locals who are back for their teams this season in NFL sack leader Trey Hendrickson, a defensive end from Apopka/FAU, now with the Cincinnati Bengals, and linebacker Matt Milano (Dr. Phillips/Boston College), who is back with the Buffalo Bills. Milano is looking for a breakout season after injuries hampered him for the better part of the last two seasons.
Fourth-year player Kerby Joseph (Jones/Illinois), now the highest paid safety in the NFL, is back with the Lions. Third-year All-Pro defensive tackle Jalen Carter (Apopka/Georgia) is back with the Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles. Second-year defensive tackle Tyler Davis (Wekiva/Clemson) is back with the Los Angeles Rams. Second-year cornerback Renardo Green (Wekiva/FSU) has earned a starting spot with the San Francisco 49ers.
All-Pro defensive end Leonard Williams (Daytona Beach Mainland/USC), in his 11th season, is back with the Seattle Seahawks, where he spent the past two seasons after stints with the Jets and the Giants.
Apopka product Jalen Carter, after an all-pro season that included a Super Bowl victory with the Philadelphia Eagles, is back for his third NFL season. (AP Photo/Derik Hamilton)
Sixth-year receiver Nick Westbrook-Ikhine (Lake Mary/Indiana), who had spent his entire career with the Titans, latched on with the Dolphins this season. Sixth-year punter Tommy Townsend (Boone/Florida) is back with the Texans. Second-year center Matt Lee (Hagerty/Miami/UCF) is back with the Bengals.
Eighth-year linebacker Chris Board (Timber Creek/North Dakota State), after stints with the Ravens, Patriots and Lions, will be with the New York Giants this year.
Veteran RB Raheem Mostert (New Smyrna Beach/Purdue) is entering his 11th season, his first with the Las Vegas Raiders after the past three seasons with the Dolphins. Quarterback Joe Milton III (Olympia/Michigan/Tennessee), who spent his first season with the Patriots, is with the Cowboys.
Some notable names of players who did not make the cut were: OL Stone Forsythe (West Orange/Florida), after 4 seasons with the Seahawks, cut by the Giants; DT Norell Pollard (Wekiva/Virginia Tech) cut by the Commanders; DB Mello Dotson (Daytona Beach Mainland/Kansas) cut by the Panthers; DB Tanner Ingle (Dr. Phillips/NC State) cut by the Rams; QB Trevor Siemian (Olympia/Northwestern) cut by the Titans; DT Evan Anderson (Jones/FAU) cut by the 49ers; and S Brandon Hill (Wekiva/Pittsburgh) cut by the Texans.
Former Mainland/Houston University star Tank Dell, a wide receiver with the Texans, has been placed on the reserve/PUP (Physically Unable to Perform) list with a knee injury.
Chris Hays can be found on X.com @OS_ChrisHays.
