Barion Brown, Kentucky: 2025 NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report

Brown was a four-star recruit from Pearl-Cohn High School in Nashville, Tenn. in the class of 2022

Kentucky wide receiver Barion Brown has received a lot of attention as a potential top 50 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. However, his route running and frame are significant limiting factors that could hinder his prospect profile.

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Barion Brown, WR Kentucky: 2025 NFL Draft Profile

Classification: Junior receiver and kick returner from Nashville, Tenn.

Background: Brown was a four-star recruit from Pearl-Cohn High School in Nashville, Tenn. in the class of 2022. He was the No. 97 recruit according to 247Sports, No. 105 for Rivals, and No. 88 for On3.com. ESPN ranked him 170th in the nation with an 83 grade out of 100. Brown played several positions in high school, including quarterback, running back, receiver, defensive back and kick returner. He finished his final season with 59 carries for 897 yards and ten touchdowns and 22 receptions for 303 yards and three touchdowns. Brown also made 24 tackles, including two tackles for loss. His team went 11-2 and finished second place in Class 4A Region 5. Brown was the Tennessee Titans Class 4A Mr. Football award winner. He earned an invitation to the All-American Bowl. Brown also competed on the track and field team. He was a back-to-back state champion in the 100-meter and 200-meter dash and is Pearl-Cohn’s record holder in both races. He posted a 10.49 100-meter dash and a 21.37 200-meter dash.

Injuries & Off-Field: Missed 2023 fall camp with a soft tissue injury, exited 2023 Florida game with an injury and played hurt vs. Georgia and Missouri, missed second half of the 2023 Georgia game with a re-aggravated hamstring injury

Awards: 2022 SEC All-Freshman Team (WR, KR, & All-Purpose), 2022 Freshman All-American (PFF, On3), 2022 Third Team Freshman All-American (CFN), 2022 Second Team All-SEC (KR for Phil Steele), 2023 Second Team All-SEC, 2023 First Team All-American (Sporting News), 2023 Second Team All-American (247Sports, CBS), 2023-24 TaxSlayer Gator Bowl MVP, 2023 All-Bowl Team (Associated Press)

Pros: Superb kick returner with four return TDs in two years, minor punt return experience, game-changing return man, experience playing out wide and in the slot, smooth mover with good acceleration off the line, some success stacking DBs in soft-shoe press with help from diamond release, off-man defenders have to respect his blow-by speed, uses hesitation move to freeze DBs, springy agility helps generate separation, good snap and throttle down on comeback routes, lethal out-and-up, good body control on back shoulder receptions, tracks the ball over his shoulder well, gets low to dig some throws out of the turf, strong hands to control catch through contact, arm length appears to check boxes, creates on schemed carries and orbit motion, excellent long speed, impressive vision, sets up his blockers well, maintains top speed while others are already slowing down

Cons: 11 total drops in two seasons, two fumbles in 2023, lean sprinter’s frame, routes disrupted at the line of scrimmage by early contact, release package must improve to avoid press, struggled to separate vertically vs. Georgia (2023), physically outmatched and unable to separate vertically from Kamari Lassiter (2023), struggled to separate from Clemson’s Shelton Lewis (2023), unable to stack DBs out of press consistently, route tree needs to expand, route definition is a work in progress, route breaks generate limited separation, doesn’t drag feet on sideline, frame limits physicality and upside at the catch point, lacks expansive catch radius, limited tackle breaking upside, more straight line speed than twitch or elusiveness

Overview: With four kicks returned for touchdowns in just two seasons, Brown is the most accomplished return man in the 2025 NFL Draft. He owns Kentucky’s single-season (three) and career (four) kick return touchdown records. Those marks are tied for the SEC records. Brown also has minor experience returning punts. He has significant experience lining up in the slot and out wide. The Tennessee native is a smooth athlete who showcases good acceleration off the line of scrimmage. He has some success stacking corners in soft-shoe press after drawing them in with his diamond release. Brown feasts on intermediate routes when corners give him a significant cushion in off-man because they fear his speed. He uses hesitation moves to freeze or draw in corners before accelerating past them. Brown is a springy athlete who separates from defenders as he bounces through his cuts. He runs a crisp comeback route that snaps sharply at the top of the stem. His out-and-up is also well developed. The junior has a lean sprinter’s frame with limited mass. Contact at the line of scrimmage or early in the play re-routes him. Brown’s release package isn’t developed enough to handle press coverage consistently, and he lacks the play strength to muscle through it. He didn’t separate vertically against Georgia in 2023 and struggled to separate from Kamari Lassiter as the more physical corner overwhelmed him. Brown also had a difficult time creating any space against Clemson’s Shelton Lewis in 2023. The Kentucky receiver doesn’t stack defensive backs out of press coverage consistently. His route tree is limited, and many of his routes lack the definition to create natural separation against man coverage. Brown displays excellent body control and concentration on back shoulder receptions. He tracks the ball over his shoulder well and gets low to dig poorly placed throws out of the dirt. Brown has dropped 11 passes during his two-year career but has strong hands to control the ball through contact at the catch point. He doesn’t drag or tap his feet on potential sideline catches. The All-SEC selection’s frame limits his physicality and catch radius at the catch point. Brown creates positive yardage on schemed touches thanks to his impressive vision, use of blockers, and excellent long speed, but he struggles to break tackles and is more of a straight line runner than a twitchy or elusive ball carrier. Brown hit 22.6 miles per hour on a kick return against Louisville (2023). His speed is special, and he maintains his top speed while other players are already slowing down.

Overall, Brown is an exciting return man and overall athlete, but his frame and route running are significant limiting factors that do not warrant a first round selection. He is a slot-only receiver who is still refining his route tree and learning to combat physicality. Brown projects as a special teams ace and complementary offensive weapon in the NFL.

Role & Scheme Fit: Slot receiver and primary kick returner

Round Grade: Late Third to Early Fourth Round

Size: 6'1", 174 lbs. (Unofficial)

Submitted: 05-12-24