Vicky Graff Photo
Barion Brown had a record-setting freshman season with 50 catches for 628 yards along with a 100-yard kickoff return for a score. He was fourth in the SEC in kick return average with 27.5 yards per return. His four touchdown catches were second most by a freshman behind the six that freshman teammate Dane Key had in 2022.
He really put his name on the national scene with 10 catches for 145 yards and one score against eventual national champion Georgia.
Brown thinks 2023 could be an even better season for him.
“I am getting bigger, faster, adjusting to the game, reading the defenses better,” Brown said. “Being a young guy, stuff was coming at me faster last year. Now I can focus on plays and route details.”
Brown also is confident returning offensive coordinator Liam Coen will help elevate his game.
“It feels great seeing what he did with Wan’Dale (Robinson) and them (other receivers),” Brown said. “Knowing he is somebody who will spread the ball and throw it deep but at the same time give the running backs a lot of carries, I like that. It will put more pressure on (opposing) defensive coordinator and will make us a lot harder to defend.”
4 Responses
An offensive line that cannot protect the quarterback and open holes for the running backs puts the entire offense on its heels. Brown, Key, Leary, and the other skill players will not be able to showcase their skills without the O line doing its job.
Last season, the O line was a problem from the get go that never was solved. Let’s hope the O line this season will allow Brown and others to be very successful.
Hard to solve OL problems with transfers. These guys need years of playing together. In a perfect world you bring in 4 or 5 good ones each year with the most recent red shirted. I’m afraid that NIL and the Portal make this a not so perfect world however.
Very fair points Paul
I agree with Paul. It is not a perfect world. However, all programs must contend with the same world.