LEXINGTON, Ky. – Kentucky football’s kick return specialist Barion Brown was named a first-team All-American as a kick returner by The Sporting News, it was announced Wednesday.
Brown, a 6-foot-1, 174-pound sophomore from Nashville, concluded the regular season ranked first in the Southeastern Conference and second in the nation with 31.7 yards per kickoff return. He was the only player in the SEC, and one of five players in the nation, to have recorded two kickoff return touchdowns in 2023. In doing so, he tied the Kentucky records for most kickoff return touchdowns in a season (two) and career (three).
The all-purpose player led UK in pass receptions with 40, good for 439 yards and three scores, had three punt returns for 51 yards (17.0 average), and had 10 rushing attempts for 121 yards (12.1 average).
Brown also earned All-America honors from CBS Sports (second team) and College Football Network (third team). Additionally, he was named second-team All-SEC from the league’s coaches and The Associated Press.
Kentucky (7-5) is headed to 79th TaxSlayer Gator Bowl to take on No. 22-ranked Clemson (8-4) on Friday, Dec. 29 in Jacksonville, Florida. The Wildcats and Tigers will tangle at noon ET at Bill Gay Grounds at EverBank Stadium. The game will be televised by ESPN.
Tickets are available online at UKFootballTix.com or by calling (800) 928-2287, option 4. Kentucky will be on the west side of EverBank Stadium. Student ticket information is online at UKFootballTix.com. Fans are encouraged to purchase tickets directly from UK Athletics to guarantee seats with other Kentucky fans and to help UK meet its bowl ticket obligations.
The TaxSlayer Gator Bowl appearance extends Kentucky’s school-record streak of eight consecutive bowl appearances, all coming under Stoops. UK is one of only eight teams in the nation, and one of only three in the SEC (along with Alabama and Georgia) with at least eight consecutive Bowl appearances.
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