Barion Brown Named to Hornung Award Watch List
Kentucky junior wide receiver and return specialist Barion Brown has been selected to the watch list for the Paul Hornung Award Watch presented by Texas Roadhouse, the Louisville Sports Commission announced Thursday.
Brown, a 6-foot-1, 182-pound all-purpose player from Nashville, had a nation-high three kickoff returns for touchdowns in 2023. It also set a single-season UK record (former record two by Derek Abney in 2002) and tied the SEC record (Willie Gault, Tennessee 1980; Brandon Boykin, Georgia 2009; Warren Norman, Vanderbilt 2009; Evan Berry, Tennessee 2015).
His four career kickoff returns for TD also set a new UK record (former record three by Craig Yeast, 1995-98) and tied the Southeastern Conference career record shared with seven other players.
The lightning-quick playmaker’s 36.0 kick return average (16 returns for 576 yards) led the nation and set a new UK single-season record. The previous record was 30.42 (14 for 426 yards) by Calvin Bird in 1959. He was named a first-team All-American by the Sporting News and a second-team All-American by 247Sports and CBS Sports.
Brown also has caught at least one pass in 26 straight games, which is every game of his college career, and he currently has 1,167 career yards receiving, which ranks 28th in school history.
Last year, he had a team-high 43 catches for 539 yards and four scores in 2023. He also had 12 rushes for 147 yards and one rushing TD.
The Paul Hornung Award winner and his family will be honored at the annual Paul Hornung Award dinner in Louisville, Kentucky, in March 2025.
Nicknamed The Golden Boy, Hornung was a Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback at Notre Dame in 1956 and the NFL’s Most Valuable Player with the Green Bay Packers whose versatility earned him enshrinement in both the College and Pro Football Hall of Fames.
Kentucky has a previous winner of the award when Lynn Bowden took home the trophy in the 2019 season. Beginning that season as a wide receiver, he moved to quarterback when injuries hit that position early in the year. Bowden played QB for the final eight games of the season, leading UK to a 6-2 record in those games, including a victory over N.C. State in the Belk Bowl. He is believed to be the only player in college history to lead his team in rushing yardage, passing yardage and receiving yardage in the same season.
The 2024 Kentucky Football season tickets are on sale now, with prospective new season ticket holders able to work together with a personal ticketing consultant to compare and purchase available seat locations by submitting a request at this link or by contacting the UK Sales Office at (800) 928-2287 (Option 1). Fans are also able to access to the Kentucky Football Virtual Venue for 360-degrees views from inside Kroger Field.
Those who missed the renewal deadline but would still like to keep their season tickets are encouraged to reach out to the UK Sales Office at (800) 928-2287 (Option 1).
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