Barion Brown sidelined with soft tissue injury during Kentucky's fan day

Barion Brown did not participate in Kentucky‘s annual fan day practice due to a soft tissue injury, per KSR’s Nick Roush. Head coach Mark Stoops alluded to the injury during UK’s media day on Friday.

“You’ll see a guy or two out there [on Saturday] that just got a little nagging injury yesterday that you’re going to miss out there in practice today. Won’t take you long to figure it out. But he shouldn’t be out but two, three days hopefully. A little soft tissue injury.”

Brown was one of two standout true freshman wide receivers for Kentucky in 2022. Alongside Dane Key, they combined for 87 receptions, 1,147 yards and 10 touchdowns as true freshmen last season as Will Levis‘ primary targets, and look to be one of the most dynamic WR duos in the SEC.

Stoops gave credit to his coaches behind the scenes for helping players the caliber of Brown heal up before its time for the season to start.

“One thing about our strength-and-conditioning team, they’re amazing,” Stoops said. “I wouldn’t change ’em for anybody. But we push it pretty hard through the summer. I can’t blame this one on them.

“We had a couple of soft tissue injuries late in the summer. But our guys work exceptionally hard at speed development, pushing it to that limit, not overtraining them, but pushing their mobility and their speed development.”

Mark Stoops sets expectations for Devin Leary at Kentucky

Devin Leary is the most decorated quarterback to ever play at Kentucky through the transfer portal. Will Levis was an unproven backup when he committed to Mark Stoops, so handling this type of hype is something the UK headman has never had to deal with before.

Seeing Leary on the practice field on a daily basis, Stoops has gained nothing but confidence in his new QB and hopes to make the most out of his commitment during his final season of college football.

“[Devin is] a guy that competes, competes at a high level. I love the way he goes to work. He has a lot of confidence. He has a chip on his shoulder, which I like,” Stoops said on Wednesday during SEC Media Days. “You know, obviously for him, getting his season cut short a year ago with injury didn’t sit well with him. So he’s very anxious to get out there and lead.”

Leary headed into his final season at NC State as the Preseason ACC Player of the Year. Injuries halted his season, but finished his four-year career with the Wolfpack having thrown 6,807 career passing yards and 67 total touchdowns.