For freshmen that have a lot of hype built around them heading into the season, it can be hard to live up to lofty expectations.

Don’t tell that to Jaycee Horn.

The true freshman passed his first test in Saturday’s season opener, not wasting any time making an impact as one of the Gamecocks’ starting defensive backs.

“Jaycee is one of those guys, you can tell he has it. He’s just been around ball. He doesn’t really get nervous. A lot of freshmen get nervous and lose their technique. But Jaycee, when he’s on the field, he’s locked in,” Bryson Allen-Williams said. “He’s different.”

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Horn was one of just seven true freshmen to start a Gamecock opener, joining a group of players that includes Stephon Gilmore, Jadeveon Clowney and Marcus Lattimore, among others.

The former four-star prospect started in the Gamecocks’ nickel package along with Rashad Fenton and Keisean Nixon.

He finished with three tackles, including picking up his first career sack on a delayed blitz. Not a bad start for the freshman who impressed his coaching staff with his poise.

“I thought he was calm. He’s a very mature young man. Young players struggle with when to focus and when to relax,” Muschamp said. “He’s a guy that understands when to focus. When we’re in meeting rooms, he’s dialed in. When we’re in walk-throughs, he’s dialed in.”

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Horn, who came in this summer, was one of the biggest standouts in camp. He skyrocketed up the depth chart right as training camp started, by taking second-team reps and then quickly moving into that first-team role as one of the Gamecocks’ five best defensive backs.

At over 6-feet, he gives the Gamecocks a little more versatility than they’ve had in the past as well.

Horn can play the nickel or in one of the corner spots, giving room for Jamyest Williams or someone else to come in and play the nickel spot. Horn bounced around to a few different positions Saturday, and was used in a lot of different ways as well.

And, if he continues to play like he did in his first collegiate game, the coaches may have to find a few more spots he can play.

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“We like Jaycee’s length outside," Muschamp said. "We like Jam’s ability in the slot as a blitzer and as a cover guy as well. Right now, we feel really good about three corners: Rashad, Jaycee and Keisean Nixon.”