Improving 'little details' could allow Barion Brown to take next step

Barion Brown is quickly becoming many Kentucky fans’ favorite player to get the ball to in EA Sports College Football 25. The junior has game-changing speed, and we have seen that show up in real life. Now it’s time to see some more development.

The former top-100 recruit will be draft-eligible after the season and could decide to head to the NFL after a three-year run in Lexington. But improvement as a receiver is needed. Barion Brown has been electric in the return game, and that could be enough to get him drafted, but Kentucky wants more. Brown also seems to want more.

The true junior has gone to work this offseason under new wide receiver coach Daikiel Shorts.

“Barion knows he’s a special talent and can do a lot of amazing things with the ball in his hand. He’s worked really hard to become a more complete player, and I really appreciate the grind that he’s going through because he knows there’s just a lot of little details and a lot of things he’s got to focus on,” Kentucky head coach Mark Stoops told the media in Dallas on Thursday. “He’s been so talented that he’s always relied on that, and he’s been much more consistent and working really hard.”

Barion Brown has reeled in 93 receptions for 1,167 yards and eight receiving touchdowns through two seasons but has needed a high volume (174 targets) to get there. Browns receiving success rate has been below 36 percent both seasons, and the explosive rate has not gotten higher than 14.1 percent. Those are bad numbers for a player with his top-end speed. Drops (11 in two seasons) have been an issue along with route-running. Brown has averaged less than 13 yards per catch each season on campus. Kentucky needs more.

In a contract year, Kentucky is hoping that a new position coach can help Brown reach his potential. The junior has gone to work and is one of the most important figures on Kentucky’s offense this season due to the playmaking juice he brings to the field as a gadget player. The Wildcats are hoping that juice can show up more as a true receiver who can open up the offense in the vertical passing game.

“I’m looking forward to seeing how it translates,” Stoops said.