Barion Brown, the standout wide receiver and kick returner for the University of Kentucky, has received multiple honors for his exceptional performance this season. CBS Sports named him a second team All-American as a kick returner, recognizing his impressive ability to return kicks for touchdowns. In fact, Brown began and ended the regular season with kickoff returns for touchdowns, showcasing his explosive talent.
In addition to his All-American selection, Brown also received a third-team All-America honor from College Football Network. He was further recognized as a second-team All-SEC choice by the league’s coaches and The Associated Press. These accolades speak to his impact both within the conference and nationally.
Standing at 6-foot-1 and weighing 174 pounds, the sophomore from Nashville has been a force to be reckoned with on the field. Brown finished the regular season as the SEC leader in kickoff return yards per game, averaging an impressive 31.7 yards per return. His performance ranked second in the nation in this category. Brown was also one of only five players in the country to record two kickoff return touchdowns in 2023.
Beyond his contributions as a kick returner, Brown showcased his versatility by leading the Kentucky Wildcats in pass receptions with 40. He gained 439 receiving yards and scored three touchdowns. He also made an impact on special teams with three punt returns for 51 yards, averaging 17.0 yards per return. Additionally, Brown showed his skills as a rusher with 10 carries for 121 yards, averaging 12.1 yards per carry.
With his remarkable season in the books, Brown now sets his sights on the upcoming 79th TaxSlayer Gator Bowl. Kentucky, with a 7-5 record, will face the No. 22-ranked Clemson Tigers, who boast an 8-4 record. The game is scheduled for Friday, December 29 in Jacksonville, Florida, at the Bill Gay Grounds at EverBank Stadium. Kickoff is set for noon Eastern Time, and the game will be televised on ESPN.
Fans can purchase tickets online at UKFootballTix.com or by calling (800) 928-2287, option 4. Kentucky will be positioned on the west side of EverBank Stadium. It’s worth noting that purchasing tickets directly from UK Athletics guarantees seats among fellow Kentucky fans and helps fulfill the university’s bowl ticket obligations.
The TaxSlayer Gator Bowl appearance marks Kentucky’s eighth consecutive bowl appearance, a school-record streak that extends under the leadership of head coach Mark Stoops. The team’s consistency in reaching bowl games places them among an elite group of only eight teams in the nation to achieve this feat. Within the SEC, Kentucky joins powerhouse programs such as Alabama and Georgia as the only schools with at least eight straight bowl appearances.
As Brown and the Kentucky Wildcats prepare for their Gator Bowl showdown with Clemson, fans eagerly anticipate witnessing his electrifying presence on the field once again.
