Barion Brown named to Jet Award Watch List as a top return specialist
Today in Awards We Didn’t Know Existed, Barion Brown is being recognized for his incredible special teams abilities.
It was announced on Wednesday that Brown is a candidate for the Jet Award, an honor that goes to college football’s top return specialist. The Kentucky junior wide receiver cracked the award’s Preseason Watch List. Now in its 14th year, the Jet Award is named after Heisman Trophy winner and College Football Hall of Famer, Johnny “The Jet” Rodgers.
Southern California’s Zachariah Branch won the Jet Award in 2023, joining the likes of Tavon Austin (2012) and Christian McCaffrey (2016) as previous winners.
Brown was an easy addition to the Jet Award’s Preseason Watch List. He’s recorded as the fastest player in all of college football going into the fall and has entered do not kick it to him whatever you do territory as a returner. The Nashville native brought back three kickoffs for touchdowns in 2023 and has four total in his career — tied for the SEC record.
As a sophomore last season, Brown’s 36 yards-per-return average (16 returns resulting in 576 yards) led the nation and set a new single-season mark for the Wildcats. He was tabbed to several All-American and All-SEC teams as a return specialist as a result, including a First-Team All-American honor by Sporting News. Brown was named SEC Special Teams Player of the Week after returning a kickoff for a touchdown in the season-opener against Ball State.
Brown, a former four-star high school recruit, isn’t just a special teams playmaker though. He’s caught at least one pass in all 26 of his games played as a Wildcat, recording 1,167 receiving yards and eight touchdowns. He’s up to 2,407 career all-purpose yards through two seasons.
Looking ahead to 2024, Brown is already being recognized as one of the nation’s top overall players. He’s cracked multiple Preseason All-American Teams and was named Preseason First Team All-SEC by Phil Steele. Big things are in store for Brown this season alongside new quarterback Brock Vandagriff.
The 2024 Jet Award will be presented at the Jet Award Gala on April 10, 2025.
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