Barion Brown a candidate for the Jet Award
Kentucky junior Barion Brown is noted for his ability to turn on the jets and display his speed on the field and now he is a candidate for the Jet Award, which recognizes college football’s top return specialist.
Brown is on the 14th annual award’s preseason watch list, the Jet Award Foundation announced Wednesday.
The award, named in honor of Heisman Trophy winner and College Football Hall of Famer Johnny “The Jet” Rodgers, will culminate with the presentation at the Jet Award Gala on April 10th, 2025. Last year’s recipient, Zachariah Branch from USC, epitomized the skill and impact recognized by the Jet Award.
The preseason watchlist features standout players from across the nation who have demonstrated exceptional abilities in the return game. The winner of the 2024 Jet Award will be selected by a distinguished panel of voters including media members from the Football Writers Association of America (FWAA), former winners of the Jet Award, and two of our founders Johnny Rodgers and William Reed.
Brown, a 6-foot-1, 182-pound all-purpose player from Nashville, had a nation-high three kickoff returns for TDs 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 SEC 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
