Mark Stoops praises early production of freshman Barion Brown

Mark Stoops has the luxury of some pretty elite wide receiver talent this season in Lexington. One that has come out of the gates hot is freshman Barion Brown out of Nashville. The former four-star receiver and Top-100 prospect has turned his heads early with his play for Kentucky.

Stoops spoke highly of Brown during his appearance on the SEC Teleconference this week. He said Brown’s talent is very obvious considering the eye-catching plays he makes throughout the week for the Wildcats and that he will only get better as he gets more conference reps.

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“He’s very, very explosive,” said Stoops. “Getting better with every opportunity and he’s getting stronger. Getting adapted to the speed of the SEC. Very, very talented and you see it every day.”

Brown has caught 15 passes for 282 yards and two touchdowns through the first five games of his college career. Where he has really shown his skills, though, is as a kick returner. Brown has brought back six kicks for Kentucky so far this season for 286 yards. That includes a 100-yard kick return touchdown in their opener versus Miami (OH). He nearly saw at least one more kick return score against Ole Miss, but his three returns in Oxford went for an average of 54.7 yards.

Brown’s youth also allows Stoops to use him more often than he has used others in the past. With Brown and fellow freshman Dane Key, their fresh enough to where Stoops says he can continue to give them the reps they need early on.

“It’s nice to see the youngster(s) out there because they seem to be able to play forever, which you love it because they’re right back on the field on Monday and Tuesday in practice and playing fast and looking good,” said Stoops.

Key has been great in his own way, but Brown was the more nationally known prospect. Even so, both should continue to give Stoops and QB Will Levis some very reliable, yet explosive, options in the passing game.