All State Preps recently had the opportunity to talk with Simon Horta, a promising Class of 2028 wide receiver. Standing at 5-foot-8 and weighing 140 pounds, Horta will attend Cardinal O'Hara High School in Philadelphia. He is aiming to make a significant impact on the field as a freshman. When asked about his position and what he enjoys most about playing it, Horta shared enthusiastically, "I play wide receiver. I love getting the ball in my hands and utilizing my speed and shiftiness in the open field." His passion for the game is evident in how he describes the thrill of making plays and outmanoeuvring defenders.

Horta's journey into football began with a simple love for running. "As an athlete, you find a sport that fits your skill set and what you genuinely enjoy doing. I LOVED just running as a kid. When my dad enrolled me in our local club team, I knew football would be the sport to take advantage of what I liked doing," he explained. This early passion for running and the support from his father set the foundation for his football career. Jalen Hurts (current NFL starting quarterback for the Philadelphia Eagles) stands out as Horta's role model. "Hurts' leadership philosophy is about attitude and setting a precedent. 'Attitude reflects leadership,'" he quoted, admiring Hurts' approach to leadership and the game.

Horta has set ambitious goals for his freshman season. "I want to contribute to the team to achieve a winning record and, if possible, achieve 500 yards. I've been getting snaps at varsity, so getting on the field for some varsity snaps this season would be fun, and I'd like to see how my skill set translates at that level," Horta said.

Horta stresses the importance of balancing academics and athletics. "I'll need to take the same approach to academics as I've taken to football—dedicate the time and energy to achieve optimal results. And get way less sleep than usual," Horta said.

"My strongest skills are speed and agility, cutting ability, and hands, mixed with an ultra-competitive approach. I tend to turn every aspect of the game, from the release to the route, into a game that can be won or lost. I HATE losing, which drives me to go at maximum effort on every snap," Horta said, emphasizing his competitive nature and relentless drive.

Despite his strengths, Horta acknowledges areas for improvement. "The same ultra-competitiveness can result in me getting down on myself if I lose at anything, like dropping a pass or being unable to get past a press. I need to learn to have a short memory and channel that anger in ways that can help my team win," he admitted.

Horta is currently navigating a significant transition. "The past few years, I played 'running quarterback,' having the ball in my hands almost every snap. With the move to wide receiver, I'm still working to get used to having the patience to wait my turn. It can be tough to wait for the pass to come my way, especially when I'm open," he explained, reflecting on the challenges of adapting to a new position.

When asked what he is most looking forward to about playing high school football, Horta shared his thoughts on what he envisions it will look like.

"Friday night lights, the crowd and energy, the higher level of play, and the ability to put my skill set to work."