The news that Ram Nation had been waiting for was finally revealed by Tory Horton. The 21-year-old wide receiver made his return to Colorado State for the 2024 campaign known on social media on Sunday.
After following Jay Norvell from Nevada to CSU, Horton has been one of the nation’s most productive playmakers, making the first team all-conference every year for the last two years.
Horton has accumulated 167 receptions for 2,267 yards and 16 touchdowns in 24 games while wearing a Rams uniform. Along with throwing a touchdown, he has also returned two punts for scores.
Horton once again demonstrated his loyalty to the man who signed him straight out of high school, despite the expectations of many that the dynamic wide-out would continue to develop.
Many players in this situation would opt to play a fifth season of collegiate football rather than go through the transfer portal and chase a check. It is not unexpected that power five universities have been pursuing Horton hard. He is talented enough to perform anywhere.
However, as the “wolves” began to circle, just as he did last summer, Horton once again proved to the world that connections are still important in this industry.
During last summer’s Mountain West Media Days in Las Vegas, Norvell spoke with local reporters about his special relationship with the aspiring professional, saying that he truly values Horton’s loyalty.
He truly could have traveled anyplace in the nation. And there are still those after him,” Norvell remarked.
He’s given me screenshots of individuals begging him to come play for them for fifty thousand dollars. And the reason he stays is due to his character. He even displays them to me, really. Many children wouldn’t act in that way.
When he stated last summer that Horton stands apart from the pack due to his character, Norvell was correct. And that’s still a valid sentiment now. Simply put, there aren’t many
Since the day he arrived on campus, Horton has been an integral leader for the program and shown nothing but the greatest commitment to the team. When other veteran players decided to jump ship and abandon CSU mid-season in 2022, Horton served as a mentor for the freshmen that were prematurely forced onto the field.
Even when the Rams were eliminated from bowl contention and the team barely had enough guys to practice, you knew the one individual that could be depended on week after week was Horton.