Tory Horton's NFL career got off to a quiet start, with the rookie receiver having to miss most of the on-field work during the offseason workout program, the result of the knee injury that cut short his final season at Colorado State.
The fifth-round pick has been making up for lost time since training camp began, however, turning in strong performance after strong performance in nearly every practice, looking not like a player just hoping to make the 53-man roster, but rather like someone who will make big contributions to the Seahawks offense.
Last week, rookie safety Nick Emmanwori said his fellow 2025 draft classmate is "going to be the steal of the draft," and coaches and players can't stop raving about Horton's play, especially over the past week of camp.
And if the hype train didn't already have enough momentum, cornerback Riq Woolen decided to give it a boost after Monday's practice. As Horton spoke to reporters, Woolen walked past the press conference yelling "Jerry Rice Jr.! Jerry Rice Jr.!"
Is it hyperbolic to compare a rookie two weeks into his first training camp to the greatest receiver of all time? Of course it is. But is it also telling that a Pro Bowl cornerback felt compelled to shout something like that while said rookie conducted a press conference, even if it was in jest? It is, because if Horton weren't impressing his teammates in practice, Woolen would have likely just walked by without a word, let alone a proclamation as bold as that.
For his part, Horton is trying to take the hype in stride, recognizing that he's still a rookie with a long way to go before he has proven anything at this level.
"I stay away from the media," he said. "I've just been focusing on myself. Me hearing that (about being the steal of the draft), it's a little bit of motivation for me. At the end of the day, God had his plan for me and I'm happy I ended up in Seattle. There were a lot of teams who knocked me because of the injury and it's a hard pill to swallow. I'm blessed I'm here now, and I just want to make the best of my opportunity. So me hearing, 'The steal of the draft,' now I just want to go out there and capitalize on it. Let those people know that I'm back and I'm full go. I'm ready."
As Horton alluded to, the reason he was available in the fifth round and in a position to have teammates call him a steal is that his senior year at Colorado State was derailed by a knee injury that lingered into the pre-draft process. Horton was highly productive in 2022 and 2023, totaling 167 catches for 2,267 yards and 16 touchdowns in those two seasons, but an injury-shortened 2024 season hurt his draft stock, even after he ran a 4.41-second 40-yard dash at the NFL Scouting Combine while far from 100 percent back from the injury.
"It was quite a push (to run at the combine) and I wasn't 100 percent," he said. "I wasn't even 70 percent. That just goes to my competitive nature of going out there and seeing those other guys run. Me getting a couple runs during my training, I felt like I could go out there and wing it. We sharpened up my technique a little bit. Couldn't do too much because I didn't have much time and at the end of the day, I went out there and ran.
"I was mad at the combine that I ran the 4.41. I knew I had 4.3 in me. But at the end of the day, the knee wasn't all the way there yet, but I did want to show those scouts and people that I am a competitor. I've been on top of my rehab game and I'm still on top of it. Now I feel like the knee is not even an issue, so I feel great."
Like a lot of players who battle significant injuries, Horton struggled with the emotional toll of that injury, particularly because it affected his professional future. But like many others who have been through similar situations, he also found a silver lining in the injury in the way it challenged him to study the game.
"It is a huge mental toll to be out for that long and for the season," he said. "Of course, with it being my senior year and my fifth year, I wanted to come back and achieve some things. We did achieve one of those things, which was going to a bowl game. It kind of puts you in a dark place, and I have a pretty good fanbase, shoutout to them. They kept well grounded, safe and heard. I found that mental circle for me to just stay at it. It kind of just showed me that you have to find a different drive. It is not always on the field. I looked at my rehab at a different level. I looked at my studying at a different level. I was still studying the defenses and some of the players while my team was still playing even though I couldn't physically be out there or travel with them at the time. Just on the TV, I was calling out (the) defense and the reads, so now when I watch film and study, I ask questions, I'm asking all those because all that plays a part and you all want to be on the same wavelength."
And now, a couple of weeks into his first camp, Horton is very much on the same wavelength with his new team's offense, and looking like a player who could be a big factor for the Seahawks this season and beyond.
"I'm seeing the same thing you guys are," Seahawks coach Mike Macdonald said Saturday when asked about Horton. "A wise man, Steve Smith Sr., once said, 'Rookies need to make a play a day to make a name for themselves.' He's doing that. He's making multiple plays every day. So it is great for the Seahawks, great for him, and great competition in the receiver room. We are two weeks in, but let's keep it rolling."
Check out photos of the Seahawks active roster during training camp.
This is a 2025 photo of DeMarcus Lawrence of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seattle Seahawks active roster as of June 9, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence (0)
This is a 2025 photo of Marquez Valdes-Scantling of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seattle Seahawks active roster as of June 9, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks wide receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling (1)
This is a 2025 photo of Drew Lock of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seattle Seahawks active roster as of June 9, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks quarterback Drew Lock (2)
This is a 2025 photo of Nick Emmanwori of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seattle Seahawks active roster as of June 9, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks safety Nick Emmanwori (3)
This is a 2025 photo of Michael Dickson of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seattle Seahawks active roster as of June 9, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks punter Michael Dickson (4)
Seahawks kicker Jason Myers (5).
Seahawks kicker Jason Myers (5)
This is a 2025 photo of Jalen Milroe of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seattle Seahawks active roster as of June 9, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks quarterback Jalen Milroe (6)
This is a 2025 photo of Uchenna Nwosu of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seattle Seahawks active roster as of June 9, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks linebacker Uchenna Nwosu (7)
This is a 2025 photo of Coby Bryant of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seattle Seahawks active roster as of June 9, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks safety Coby Bryant (8)
Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III (9)
Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III (9)
This is a 2025 photo of Cooper Kupp of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seattle Seahawks active roster as of June 9, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks wide receiver Cooper Kupp (10)
This is a 2025 photo of Jaxon Smith-Njigba of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seattle Seahawks active roster as of June 9, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11)
This is a 2025 photo of Ernest Jones IV of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seattle Seahawks active roster as of June 9, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks linebacker Ernest Jones IV (13)
This is a 2025 photo of Sam Darnold of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seattle Seahawks active roster as of June 9, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold (14)
This is a 2025 photo of Tory Horton of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seattle Seahawks active roster as of June 9, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks wide receiver Tory Horton (15)
This is a 2025 photo of John Rhys Plumlee of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seattle Seahawks active roster as of June 9, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks wide receiver John Rhys Plumlee (17)
This is a 2025 photo of Elijah Arroyo of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seattle Seahawks active roster as of June 9, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks tight end Elijah Arroyo (18)
This is a 2025 photo of Jake Bobo of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seattle Seahawks active roster as of June 9, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks wide receiver Jake Bobo (19)
This is a 2025 photo of Julian Love of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seattle Seahawks active roster as of June 9, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks safety Julian Love (20)
This is a 2025 photo of Devon Witherspoon of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seattle Seahawks active roster as of June 9, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon (21)
This is a 2025 photo of Damien Martinez of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seattle Seahawks active roster as of June 9, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks running back Damien Martinez (22)
This is a 2025 photo of D'Anthony Bell of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seattle Seahawks active roster as of June 9, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks safety D'Anthony Bell (23)
This is a 2019 photo of Shaquill Griffin of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seattle Seahawks active roster of as of June 10, 2019 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks cornerback Shaquill Griffin (24).
This is a 2025 photo of Zach Charbonnet of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seattle Seahawks active roster as of June 9, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks running back Zach Charbonnet (26)
This is a 2025 photo of Riq Woolen of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seattle Seahawks active roster as of June 9, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks cornerback Riq Woolen (27)
This is a 2025 photo of Nehemiah Pritchett of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seattle Seahawks active roster as of June 9, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks cornerback Nehemiah Pritchett (28)
This is a 2025 photo of Josh Jobe of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seattle Seahawks active roster as of June 9, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks cornerback Josh Jobe (29)
This is a 2025 photo of Jacardia Wright of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seattle Seahawks active roster as of June 9, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks running back Jacardia Wright (31)
This is a 2025 photo of Jerrick Reed II of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seattle Seahawks active roster as of June 9, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks safety Jerrick Reed II (32)
This is a 2025 photo of Tyler Hall of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seattle Seahawks active roster as of June 9, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks cornerback Tyler Hall (33)
Seahawks running back D.K. Kaufman (33).
This is a 2025 photo of Shemar Jean-Charles of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seattle Seahawks active roster as of June 9, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks cornerback Shemar Jean-Charles (34)
Seahawks cornerback Kam Alexander (35).
Signed cornerback Kam Alexander (35) on July 21, 2025.
This is a 2025 photo of George Holani of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seattle Seahawks active roster as of June 9, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks running back George Holani (36)
This is a 2025 photo of Isas Waxter of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seattle Seahawks active roster as of June 9, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks cornerback Isas Waxter (36)
This is a 2025 photo of Damarion Williams of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seattle Seahawks active roster as of June 9, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks cornerback Damarion Williams (37)
This is a 2025 photo of Brady Russell of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seattle Seahawks active roster as of June 9, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks fullback Brady Russell (38)
This is a 2025 photo of Ty Okada of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seattle Seahawks active roster as of June 9, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks safety Ty Okada (39)
This is a 2025 photo of Robbie Ouzts of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seattle Seahawks active roster as of June 9, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks fullback Robbie Ouzts (40)
This is a 2025 photo of Chris Stoll of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seattle Seahawks active roster as of June 9, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks long snapper Chris Stoll (41)
This is a 2025 photo of Drake Thomas of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seattle Seahawks active roster as of June 9, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks linebacker Drake Thomas (42)
This is a 2025 photo of D'Eryk Jackson of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seattle Seahawks active roster as of June 9, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks linebacker D'Eryk Jackson (46)
This is a 2025 photo of Josh Ross of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seattle Seahawks active roster as of June 9, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks linebacker Josh Ross (47)
This is a 2025 photo of Tyrice Knight of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seattle Seahawks active roster as of June 9, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks linebacker Tyrice Knight (48)
This is a 2025 photo of Marshall Lang of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seattle Seahawks active roster as of June 9, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks tight end Marshall Lang (49)
This is a 2025 photo of Jamie Sheriff of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seattle Seahawks active roster as of June 9, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks linebacker Jamie Sheriff (50)
This is a 2025 photo of Jared Ivey of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seattle Seahawks active roster as of June 9, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks linebacker Jared Ivey (51)
This is a 2025 photo of Patrick O'Connell of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seattle Seahawks active roster as of June 9, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks linebacker Patrick O'Connell (52)
This is a 2025 photo of Boye Mafe of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seattle Seahawks active roster as of June 9, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks linebacker Boye Mafe (53)
This is a 2025 photo of Olu Oluwatimi of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seattle Seahawks active roster as of June 9, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks center Olu Oluwatimi (55)
This is a 2025 photo of Jalen Gaines of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seattle Seahawks active roster as of June 9, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks linebacker Jalan Gaines (56)
This is a 2025 photo of Connor O'Toole of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seattle Seahawks active roster as of June 9, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks linebacker Connor O'Toole (57)
This is a 2025 photo of Derick Hall of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seattle Seahawks active roster as of June 9, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks linebacker Derick Hall (58)
This is a 2025 photo of Tyreke Smith of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seattle Seahawks active roster as of June 9, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks linebacker Tyreke Smith (59)
This is a 2025 photo of Jalen Sundell of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seattle Seahawks active roster as of June 9, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks center Jalen Sundell (61)
This is a 2025 photo of Federico Maranges of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seattle Seahawks active roster as of June 9, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks center Federico Maranges (62)
This is a 2025 photo of Sataoa Laumea of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seattle Seahawks active roster as of June 9, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks guard Sataoa Laumea (63)
This is a 2025 photo of Christian Haynes of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seattle Seahawks active roster as of June 9, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks guard Christian Haynes (64)
This is a 2025 photo of Michael Jerrell of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seattle Seahawks active roster as of June 9, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks tackle Michael Jerrell (65)
This is a 2025 photo of Charles Cross of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seattle Seahawks active roster as of June 9, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks tackle Charles Cross (67)
This is a 2025 photo of Wy'Kevious Thomas of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seattle Seahawks active roster as of June 9, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks nose tackle Bubba Thomas (69)
This is a 2025 photo of J.R. Singleton of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seattle Seahawks active roster as of June 9, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks nose tackle J.R. Singleton (70)
This is a 2025 photo of Abraham Lucas of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seattle Seahawks active roster as of June 9, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks tackle Abraham Lucas (72)
Seahawks guard Luke Felix-Fualalo (73)
This is a 2025 photo of Josh Jones of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seattle Seahawks active roster as of June 9, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks tackle Josh Jones (74)
This is a 2025 photo of Anthony Bradford of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seattle Seahawks active roster as of June 9, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks guard Anthony Bradford (75)
This is a 2025 photo of Grey Zabel of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seattle Seahawks active roster as of June 9, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks guard Grey Zabel (76)
This is a 2025 photo of Bryce Cabeldue of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seattle Seahawks active roster as of June 9, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks guard Bryce Cabeldue (77)
This is a 2025 photo of Mason Richman of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seattle Seahawks active roster as of June 9, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks offensive lineman Mason Richman (78)
This is a 2025 photo of Amari Kight of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seattle Seahawks active roster as of June 9, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks tackle Amari Kight (79)
This is a 2025 photo of Eric Saubert of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seattle Seahawks active roster as of June 9, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks tight end Eric Saubert (81)
This is a 2025 photo of Cody White of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seattle Seahawks active roster as of June 9, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks wide receiver Cody White (82)
This is a 2025 photo of Dareke Young of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seattle Seahawks active roster as of June 9, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks wide receiver Dareke Young (83)
This is a 2025 photo of Steven Sims of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seattle Seahawks active roster as of June 9, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks wide receiver Steven Sims (84)
This is a 2025 photo of Tyrone Broden Jr of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seattle Seahawks active roster as of June 9, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks wide receiver Tyrone Broden (85)
This is a 2025 photo of Ricky White III of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seattle Seahawks active roster as of June 9, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks wide receiver Ricky White III (86)
This is a 2025 photo of Montorie Foster Jr of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seattle Seahawks active roster as of June 9, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks wide receiver Montorie Foster Jr. (87).
This is a 2025 photo of AJ Barner of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seattle Seahawks active roster as of June 9, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks tight end AJ Barner (88)
This is a 2025 photo of Nick Kallerup of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seattle Seahawks active roster as of June 9, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks tight end Nick Kallerup (89)
This is a 2024 photo of Jarran Reed of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seahawks active roster as of June 10, 2024 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks defensive tackle Jarran Reed (90)
This is a 2025 photo of Byron Murphy II of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seattle Seahawks active roster as of June 9, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks defensive tackle Byron Murphy II (91)
This is a 2025 photo of Quinton Bohanna of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seattle Seahawks active roster as of June 9, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks defensive tackle Quinton Bohanna (92)
This is a 2025 photo of Anthony Campbell of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seattle Seahawks active roster as of June 9, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks defensive tackle Anthony Campbell (93)
This is a 2025 photo of Mike Morris of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seattle Seahawks active roster as of June 9, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks defensive end Mike Morris (94)
This is a 2025 photo of Brandon Pili of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seattle Seahawks active roster as of June 9, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks nose tackle Brandon Pili (95)
This is a 2025 photo of Johnathan Hankins of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seattle Seahawks active roster as of June 9, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks defensive tackle Johnathan Hankins (97)
This is a 2025 photo of Rylie Mills of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seattle Seahawks active roster as of June 9, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks defensive tackle Rylie Mills (98)
This is a 2024 photo of Leonard Williams of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seahawks active roster as of June 10, 2024 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks defensive end Leonard Williams (99)
