Kentucky and Alabama fighting it out for 5-star WR Barion Brown

On3 imageby:Jack Pilgrim10/19/21

Kentucky is in need of playmakers at wide receiver, and there may not be a better option on the table than 5-star prospect Barion Brown.

Brown, rated as the No. 14 overall player and No. 2 wide receiver in the class of 2022 by On3, is considering the Wildcats among a host of blue-blood programs. The 6-foot-1, 175-pound pass-catcher out of Nashville, TN holds nearly 30 offers, namely from the likes of Alabama, Auburn, Georgia, LSU, Michigan, Tennessee, Texas, Texas A&M and West Virginia, among others.

Alabama or Kentucky?

The general consensus, though, is that Kentucky is in a neck-and-neck battle with Alabama — he’s Nick Saban’s top receiver prospect on his big board — down the home stretch of his recruitment.

According to On3 national recruiting insider Chad Simmons, UK is right in the thick of things with the five-star prospect. As Brown’s commitment continues to get pushed back, the Wildcats’ chances improve.

“First, it was August. Then early in September. Here we are in the middle of October and Nashville (Tenn.) Pearl Cohn five-star wide receiver Barion Brown remains uncommitted,” Simmons wrote Monday. “Alabama has been considered the favorite since late spring, and the Crimson Tide is still up there. They are joined though by another SEC school, Kentucky.”

At the end of the day, Brown’s decision will come down to one of two things: early playing time or day-one competition.

“Both schools have received official visits from Brown, and I am hearing it comes down to one of two things,” Simmons wrote. “Does Brown want to feel like a big part of the offense right away (Kentucky)? Or does he want to compete and earn his way into the rotation (Alabama)?

“Other visits could still be taken. GeorgiaOklahoma, and Ole Miss are just three of the schools still working to get Brown on campus. There is no real timeline for his decision.”

What about Ole Miss?

Ben Garrett of OM Spirit — On3’s Ole Miss affiliate — adds that the Rebels have a legitimate shot to land the five-star prospect, as well.

“Sources indicate he really likes what he’s seen offensively from Kiffin and Lebby,” Garrett wrote Monday. “… Ole Miss, to be sure, needs to continue to win games in order to keep pace in the race for his signature, but the Rebels are certainly in a good place midway through the season. … But Kentucky is another team to keep on eye on for Brown. He officially visited the Wildcats Oct. 1. When he’ll make it to Oxford is still to be determined at this time.”

Kentucky may have a dominant rushing attack, but as we’ve seen with Wan’Dale Robinson in 2021, high-profile playmakers can thrive in Lexington, too.

Will Barion Brown be next? Kentucky clearly has a shot. The competition, though, remains strong.

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2024-03-28