Gardner-Webb University Athletics

Speedster who enters his final season in full health … Slated as the starter at one of the outside receiver spots … Runs the 40-yard dash in 4.37 seconds … Has been hampered by injuries at times during his career to date … Has the potential to stretch the field vertically … Former champion sprinter on the high school level … Is the son of former University of North Carolina All-American and 1984 ACC Player of the Year Ethan Horton, who was a first-round pick of the Kansas City Chiefs and played seven seasons in the NFL at tight end for the Raiders and Redskins.

2017 at Gardner-Webb: Played in all 11 games at receiver … Caught 12 passes for 135 yards and had one rush for five yards … Caught two passes for 44 yards, including a 35-yarder, vs. Liberty (10/28) … Had two catches for 18 yards vs. Charleston Southern (11/4) … Caught a 10-yard pass at Wyoming (9/9) … Had an 11-yard reception vs. Western Carolina (9/16) … Caught two passes for 19 yards at No. 9 Wofford (9/23). 2016 at Gardner-Webb: Played in nine games and made nine starts at outside receiver … Also returned punts … Caught a career-best 12 passes for 175 yards and a touchdown, averaging 14.6 yards per catch … Had three catches for a career-high 131 yards and a touchdown vs. Presbyterian (10/8) … Broke free for a 74-yard touchdown on the GWU’s first offensive play from scrimmage … Also caught a 35-yarder to set up another touchdown … Caught two passes for 18 yards vs. No. 15 Coastal Carolina (10/15) … Caught four passes for 17 yards in the overtime win vs. Monmouth (11/19) … Returned five punts for 17 yards on the season, including a 14-yarder vs. Benedict (10/1). 2015 at Gardner-Webb: Played in the first six games of the season … Earned two starts by formation on offense and served as the team’s primary punt and kickoff return man … Caught 11 passes for 103 yards and a touchdown … Carried the football 12 times for 20 yards … Returned 13 kickoffs for 277 yards (21.3 apr) … Had six punt returns for 45 yards (7.5 apr) … Caught three passes for 35 yards and a 30-yard touchdown in the win over No. 15 Liberty (10/10) … Had 77 all-purpose yards in that game … Caught three passes for 31 yards, including a 17-yarder, vs. Elon (9/12) … Had a 43-yard kickoff return vs. Wofford (9/26) … Returned seven kickoffs for 138 yards at South Alabama (9/5) … Added an 11-yard punt return and a 15-yard catch to account for 168 all-purpose yards in his college debut … Was lost for the season after an in-game injury at Kennesaw State (10/17).

High School: Played at Mallard Creek (N.C.) High under Coach Michael Palmieri … Helped Mavericks to a 15-1 record and the Class 4AA State Championship in 2014, the program’s second in a row … Team posted a 32-1 record over his final two seasons … 2014 North Carolina Farm Bureau Sportsmanship Award Recipient … A first-team All-Mecka 4A Conference choice … Scored 15 combined touchdowns for the Mavericks in 2014 … Caught 52 passes for 918 yards and 10 touchdowns as a slot receiver in 2014 … Returned three punts for touchdowns … Also rushed for two scores … Caught 30 passes as a junior to help his squad to a 17-0 record, No. 9 national ranking and a Class 4AA state championship … Invited to attend the U.S. Army All-American Combine following his junior season, and posted the event’s fastest 40-yard dash time … Lead leg on Mallard Creek’s 4x100m relay team that won the Class 4A state title with a state-best time of 41.48 seconds in 2014 … Led 4x100m relay team to a championship finish at 2014 New Balance Outdoor Nationals with a top time of 41.08 seconds … Earned All-Observer honors from the Charlotte Observer in that sport … Chose Gardner-Webb over offers by Georgia State, James Madison, Elon and Tennessee State … Also considered William & Mary and Yale and drew early interest from several ACC programs ... Brother, Jay Horton, played football at Ferrum (Va.) College ... Prep teammate of current GWU players Devin Mines (Jr.) and Deonte’ Grier (Fr.).