The Colorado State Rams suffered a massive blow to the offense after star wide receiver Tory Horton was ruled out for the 2024 season.
Horton suffered a knee injury during the last Colorado State clash against San Jose State, which ended in a 31-24 victory for the Rams. Horton finishes the season with 26 receptions, 343 yards receiving, and one touchdown. The talented wide receiver spent the majority of the season in double-coverage and struggled to repeat the same production he had the past two seasons.
The Colorado State Rams attracted Horton to the team after the receiver entered the transfer portal following the 2021 season. Horton transferred to Colorado State, and quickly made a major impact after previously serving as a second or third receiving option.
Jay Norvell shares that WR Tory Horton will miss the rest of the season with a knee injury. Ultimately his collegiate career comes to a close with 265 catches for 3,615 yards and 27 TDs
Horton finishes 35 yards short of the all-time Mountain West receiving record… pic.twitter.com/Lb3rjJbCby
— Unnecessary Roughness (@UnnecRoughness) October 15, 2024
Over the past two seasons, Horton recored 167 receptions, 2,267 yards receiving, 16 touchdowns, and one passing touchdown as well. The wide receiver had not only been considered an NFL prospect, but also someone who could carve his name into the record books this season. Horton nearly accomplished that goal, finishing just 35 yards short of the Mountain West Conference career receiving yards record.
Horton joins the company of talented NFL receivers Rashard Higgins, Michael Gallup, and David Anderson for Colorado State Rams receiving records. Horton has finished his collegiate career with 265 receptions, 3,615 yards, and 27 touchdowns.
Colorado State Rams Must Find a New Offensive Leader Moving Forward
The unfortunate news in that an injury could not have occurred to anyone worse for the Colorado State Rams football team.
Horton is not only a talented and extremely successful player, but also a leader for the team on and off the field. The Tennessee Volunteers suffered a similar injury with starting linebacker Keenan Pili suffering a season-ending injury. The Colorado State staff will have to figure out a way to fill the void both on the field and in the locker room without the constant presence of Horton.
Two such options for Colorado State moving forward could become freshman receivers Lavon Brown and Landon Bell. Bell comes in at 6-feet-2-inches, and provides both strength and excellent route running on the field, which matches up to the play-style of Horton. Brown, however, is a bit smaller with a big burst of speed, which could offer a different look at the position.
Colorado State is currently 3-3 on the season, with a fourth-place ranking in the Mountain West Conference at the moment. Quarterback Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi has struggled to fully open up his arm this season, which could be a mental or physical issue, or perhaps a play calling issue. Regardless of the cause, Fowler-Nicolosi will need to step up in the absence of a top playmaker.
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