Barion Brown named to the Hornung Award's Preseason Watch List

Barion Brown has been a popular figure around Kentucky Football as the team begins its fall camp in Lexington. A week ago, Cincinnati Bengals great Chad Johnson challenged Brown to a foot race after Johnson noticed Brown’s quickness on the College Football 25 video game. Brown also got recognized by the SEC as a preseason First Team selection as a return specialist and a Third Team all-purpose player. Then, yesterday, Brown was one of the early candidates for college football’s Jet Award, given to the nation’s top return specialist.

Today, the Louisville Sports Commission recognized Brown with more preseason attention. UK’s junior wide-out was named to the preseason watch list for the Paul Hornung Award, given annually to the most versatile player in the game. Brown certainly earned his early candidacy. Last season, he led the country with three kick return touchdowns, which set a new single-season school record at Kentucky and tied the SEC’s single-season high.

Brown also had a team-high 43 receptions for 539 yards and four touchdowns in 2023. He’s caught at least one pass in every college game he’s played and already crossed the 1,000-yard mark for his career before his junior season.

Watch him catch one from his new quarterback, Brock Vandgriff, on Day 1 of fall camp.

Making plays on day one. pic.twitter.com/e44DolWuys

— Kentucky Football (@UKFootball) July 31, 2024

Past Hornung Award Winners at Kentucky

Kentucky’s Lynn Bowden won the Paul Hornung Award in 2019, the year he moved from receiver to quarterback and saved UK’s season. Bowden played running quarterback for the final eight games of the season, leading the Cats to a 6-2 record and a thrilling win in the Belk Bowl.