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Draft Information by: Years, Teams, Positions

Ray Horton (College Stats) - 1983 NFL Draft Pick #53 by CIN

What The Experts Thought Before The Draft

Pre-Draft Analysis for Ray Horton (1983 NFL Draft)

Player Overview:
  • Name: Ray Horton
  • Position: Defensive Back
  • College: University of Southern California (USC)
College Stats:
  • Games Played: 38
  • Tackles: 185
  • Interceptions: 9
  • Pass Deflections: 20

Strengths:

  • Coverage Skills: Ray Horton displayed excellent man-to-man coverage abilities, often shutting down opposing wide receivers.
  • Ball Skills: His ability to read the quarterback and anticipate throws contributed to his interception totals.
  • Physicality: Horton was known for his physical play style, making him a reliable tackler in both man and zone coverage schemes.
  • Versatility: He had the ability to play both safety and cornerback, providing flexibility to defensive schemes.

Weaknesses:

  • Speed: While athletic, there were concerns about his top-end speed when matched against faster wide receivers in the NFL.
  • Injury History: Horton had a couple of minor injuries during his college career that raised some red flags regarding his durability.

Projected Draft Position:

  • Ray Horton was projected to be selected in the 2nd to 3rd round of the 1983 NFL Draft, depending on team needs and preferences.

Conclusion:

Ray Horton was considered a talented defensive back with a strong college career at USC, showcasing skills that indicated he could make an immediate impact in the NFL. His versatility, physicality, and ball-hawking ability made him an attractive option for NFL teams looking to bolster their secondary.