#13

EJ Horton Jr.

WR · Purdue · Sr. · #13

Returning to Purdue for 2026
This season's coverage starts August 26 — check back once kickoff hits.

EJ Horton Jr.

WR · Purdue · Sr · #13

Limited signal — not enough coverage for a story yet.

Career Arc

HS
Recruit
★★★
#2793 national
CFB
College
3 teams
2021–2025
NFL
NFL Draft
Not drafted (yet)

Coaching Lineage · 2021–2025

3 coaches
2021
2022
2023
Ryan Walters
Purdue
era →
2025era →

Played under 3 different head coaches: Jeff Brohm, Ryan Walters, and Barry Odom. Multi-era developmental context.

2025 snapshot

Season context · Team result + system

2021Marshall7-6HC: Charles Huff · Balanced, fast tempo
2022Marshall9-4HC: Charles Huff · Run-heavy
2023West Virginia9-4HC: Neal Brown · Run-heavy
2025Purdue2-10HC: Barry Odom · Balanced

Career stats

SeasonTeam
2025Purdue2728910.71--
2023West Virginia1020120.11--
2022Marshall1218615.51--
2021Marshall45914.81--
Career5373513.94--
SeasonTeam
2025Purdue222------
2023West Virginia28------
2022Marshall215------
2021Marshall----------
Career645------

Signature game

SIGNATURE GAME · Week 2 · 2025

W 34–17

vs Southern Illinois

2 rec · 17 yds

How he plays

Play style

Moves the chains on third down.

CFB Index positional classification

2026 Outlook

Purdue

2026 Depth chart

Projected starter

Wide receiver · Purdue

Returning around him

  • 54% of 2024 offensive production back (Solid continuity)
  • Transfer portal: +5 net (29 in / 24 out)

2026 Award watch

No preseason watch lists yet (most drop June 15 – July 15)

Purdue · Last season: 2-10 · Talent rank #54 · 2026 recruiting class #55

DNA match

Player DNA

Possession Receiver

Reliable target who converts on critical downs. Not flashy; consistently productive.

WR

His 2025 production profile sits closest to Anthony Sambucci’s 2022 season.

Western Michigan · 2022

#2

Jonah Panoke

Hawai'i · 2022

82%
#3

Senika McKie

UNLV · 2023

81%
#4

TJ Graham

Texas State · 2020

81%
#5

Jaylen Sargent

Wyoming · 2025

80%

Matches Anthony on

Total EPA (college ability)
Weight
Reception volume

Differs from Anthony on

Class year (higher)
Recruiting rating (lower)

Through 4 college seasons, his career arc tracks closest to Hunter Long’s path through Boston College.

Hunter Long

98%match

Boston College · 2020

All-ACCNFL Rd 3 · Pk 18
#2

R.J. Sneed

Colorado · 2022

96%
#3

Jake Thaw

Delaware · 2025

96%
#4

Zakhari Franklin

Illinois · 2024

All-Conference USA
95%
#5

Taylor Grimes

Incarnate Word · 2022

94%

Matches Hunter on

Yards per reception
2021202220232025

As a senior, his production profile tracks closest to Jaylen Sargent's senior season at Wyoming (2025).

Wyoming · 2025

#2

Javon Ivory

South Alabama · 2023

79%
#3

Stefan Cobbs

Boise State · 2023

All-Mountain West
77%
#4

Jeremiah Noga

Washington State · 2025

76%
#5

Jasaiah Gathings

Buffalo · 2025

All-MAC
76%

Matches Jaylen on

Yards / reception
Weight
Height

Differs from Jaylen on

TD rate (higher)

Player DNA

Players who play like EJ Horton Jr.

#1

R.J. Sneed

Baylor · 2021

96%
#2

Jake Thaw

Delaware · 2025

96%
#3

Zakhari Franklin

UTSA · 2021

95%

Heisman trajectory

Heisman Trajectory · 2025

Peak #1571

Final rank
#1597
Avg #1599.3
Finalist prob 0%

Peaked at #1571 this season.

Development

Development Trajectory · receiving yards

2021–2025
59.02021
1862022
2012023
2892025

+390%

Up 390% from first season to most-recent.