University of Kentucky junior Barion Brown, known for his explosive speed on the football field, has been named a candidate for the 14th annual Jet Award, which honors the top return specialist in college football. The Jet Award Foundation announced the preseason watch list on Wednesday.
The Jet Award, named after Heisman Trophy winner and College Football Hall of Famer Johnny “The Jet” Rodgers, recognizes players who excel in the return game. The award will be presented at the Jet Award Gala on April 10, 2025. Last year’s recipient, Zachariah Branch from USC, exemplified the skill and impact celebrated by the award.
The preseason watch list features standout return specialists from across the country. The winner will be selected by a panel of voters, including media members from the Football Writers Association of America (FWAA), former Jet Award winners, and the award’s founders Johnny Rodgers and William Reed.
Brown, a 6-foot-1, 182-pound all-purpose player from Nashville, led the nation with three kickoff returns for touchdowns in 2023. This achievement set a single-season record for Kentucky (previously held by Derek Abney with two in 2002) and tied the SEC record (shared with Willie Gault, Tennessee 1980; Brandon Boykin, Georgia 2009; Warren Norman, Vanderbilt 2009; Evan Berry, Tennessee 2015).
His four career kickoff returns for touchdowns set a new Kentucky record (previously held by Craig Yeast with three from 1995-98) and tied the SEC career record, a distinction shared with seven other players.
Brown’s 36.0 kick return average (16 returns for 576 yards) led the nation and set a new Kentucky single-season record, surpassing the previous mark of 30.42 (14 for 426 yards) set 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.
In addition to his return skills, Brown has caught at least one pass in 26 straight games, covering every game of his college career. He currently has 1,167 career receiving yards, ranking 28th in school history.
Season tickets, mini-packs, and single-game tickets for Kentucky’s games against Southern Miss, South Carolina, Ohio, Vanderbilt, and Murray State are now available at ukfootballtix.com. Tickets for high-demand games against Georgia, Auburn, and Louisville will go on sale to the public on Friday, Aug. 9, at 9 a.m. ET. With strong demand expected for these matchups, fans are encouraged to consider season ticket options to secure their seats.
