Barion Brown sees homecoming in Nashville as 'another game'

You won’t be getting any hometown nerves from Kentucky sophomore wide receiver Barion Brown as he returns to Nashville for the Wildcats’ conference opener at Vanderbilt on Saturday. The Pearl-Cohn High School product will have family in the stands — what’s available of FirstBank Stadium during renovations, anyway — but that’s the extent of his thoughts on his trip home.

Brown is only worried about playing the game he loves. Where or how doesn’t really matter as long as the ‘what ‘ is there week in and week out.

“I’m blessed to have this ability to bring my great granny, my great grandpa, all of them come to the game and watch me for once,” Brown said leading up to Kentucky’s first road trip of the season. “Not in high school, but now playing on a bigger level. It’s a big blessing to let them see what I’ve been working on my whole life, the Lord just letting me do the thing I love.”

The 6-foot-1 receiver has racked up 109 yards on 11 catches and one touchdown through three games while adding 35 rushing yards, 47 punt return yards and 153 kick return yards with one touchdown. He’s dealt with some early sophomore struggles, but his status as an all-purpose threat remains on every touch.

What’s been the message from his coaches as the Wildcats move past the non-conference schedule and focus on SEC opponents?

“Being very detailed and just doing what we’re doing, don’t let up, keeping our foot on the gas,” Brown said. “Paying close attention to detail.”

His own personal mindset going into the team’s trip to Nashville? Treat this matchup no different than any other opponent. Focus on what he does best and look to build on what has worked for him to open the season while minimizing some of the early mistakes.

And most importantly, come back to Lexington with a victory.

“It’s another game. Go out there, give it my hardest every game,” Brown said. “I’m just looking at it as another game, bringing another dub back to Lexington.”

What about the stadium renovations? Only 28,500 fans will be allowed in, down from the previous capacity of 40,350. The final product will be unveiled to open the 2024 college football season. Until then, it’ll be an eyesore in Nashville — certainly not the prettiest venue for Brown’s homecoming.

But as long as there are 100 yards for him to put on a show in front of friends and family, that’s all that matters. He’s just grateful to be out there.

“The field is the same length, same everything we’ll be playing on,” Brown joked. “I’m just happy to be playing some football, I just love football. Ain’t nothing wrong with the field, so we’ll be playing football. I can’t wait.”

Kentucky at Vanderbilt will kick off in Nashville at noon ET on SEC Network.