Barion Brown WR LSU | NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
Barion Brown WR LSU
NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
| ROLE: Outside X-Receiver | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Last Updated: 05/30/2025 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Draft Year: 2026 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 40 time: 4.28 seconds (98%*) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| ROLE: Outside X-Receiver | |
| Last Updated: 05/30/2025 | |
| Draft Year: 2026 | |
| 40 time: 4.28 seconds (98%*) | |
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| Overall Rating: | 80.9 / 100 | |
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| Average rating of opposition Defense player has faced | ||
| Defense Rating: |
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77% |
| Click the links below to view how player ranks vs other prospects. | ||
| QB Rating When targeted: | 70.9 | |
| Hands: |
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53% |
| Short Receiving: |
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71% |
| Intermediate Routes: |
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68% |
| Deep Threat: |
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80% |
| Blocking: |
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65% |
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DRAFT PROJECTION:
6th
Overall Rank:
#199
Position rank:
#24
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| College Games: 36 College Snaps: 1317 | ||
ESPN RATING: 83/100
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247 RATING: 96/100
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RIVALS RATING: 5.9 (97%)
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| Player Comparison* (Similarity level) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Danny Gray - SMU |
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79% |
| Ihmir Smith-Marsette - Iowa |
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78% |
| Rakim Jarrett - Maryland |
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74% |
Draft Profile: Bio
The name Barion Brown first echoed through SEC stadiums when a true freshman from Nashville turned his first collegiate touch into a 100-yard kickoff return touchdown against Miami (Ohio). That September afternoon in 2022 served as the opening act for what became one of the most electrifying careers in Kentucky football history.Brown's high school dominance wasn't limited to Friday nights under the lights. The Tennessee Titans Class 4A Mr. Football Award winner doubled as a track sensation, capturing back-to-back state championships in both the 100 and 200-meter dash. His blazing 10.49-second 100-meter time stands as the third-fastest TSSAA state meet performance since 1985, translating that track speed directly onto the gridiron where he terrorized opponents from quarterback to defensive back to return specialist.
Three seasons at Kentucky established Brown as one of the most dangerous offensive weapons in college football. His 628 receiving yards as a freshman shattered school records, while his sophomore campaign brought All-America recognition and an SEC-record-tying three kickoff return touchdowns in a single season. After accumulating over 3,200 all-purpose yards across three seasons and etching his name atop Kentucky's career kickoff return average list at 30.33 yards per attempt, Brown made the decision to transfer to LSU for his senior campaign, bringing his game-breaking ability to Death Valley.
Scouting Report: Strengths
- Blazing straight-line speed that turns routine plays into explosive gains, consistently running away from angles in the open field
- Game-changing return specialist with SEC-record kickoff return production, averaging over 30 yards per attempt throughout his career
- Exceptional burst and acceleration that creates instant separation, particularly devastating on crossing routes and quick slants
- Natural ball-tracking ability downfield with smooth over-the-shoulder adjustments that maximize his catch radius despite average size
- Versatile offensive skill set allows creative usage as receiver, runner, and gadget player in multiple formations
- Quick-twitch lateral agility enables sharp cuts and direction changes that leave defenders grasping at air
- Demonstrates good spatial awareness finding soft spots in zone coverage and exploiting leverage advantages
- Impressive body control maintaining balance through contact while generating yards after catch in traffic
Scouting Report: Weaknesses
- Undersized frame raises durability concerns and limits effectiveness against physical press coverage at the line
- Inconsistent hands with tendency toward body catches, particularly struggling with contested catches in heavy traffic
- Limited route tree development relies heavily on raw athleticism rather than technical refinement to create separation
- Struggles against physical cornerbacks who can disrupt his timing and knock him off his intended routes
- Needs continued development in reading coverages and understanding defensive leverage to maximize his route-running potential
Scouting Report: Summary
Brown's NFL future hinges on scheme fit and developmental patience, but his upcoming season at LSU will provide crucial answers about his readiness for the next level. Moving from Kentucky's system to Death Valley represents a significant test - LSU's more complex offensive concepts and elevated competition should reveal whether his route-running can evolve beyond basic patterns. The transfer also puts Brown in a deeper receiver room where he'll need to prove his value extends beyond pure speed.The size concerns aren't just about durability - they fundamentally affect how Brown can be deployed. His slight frame gets overwhelmed by press coverage, forcing offenses to find creative ways to get him clean releases. While his speed can threaten any defense vertically, his route-running limitations mean he's more gadget player than traditional receiver at this stage. The yards-after-catch ability that made him dangerous in college becomes less reliable when NFL safeties arrive with more authority than SEC defenders.
Brown's ceiling remains intriguing despite these limitations. His pure speed is rare, and players with that kind of game-breaking ability often find ways to contribute even when other skills lag behind. The special teams component cannot be overlooked - return specialists with his production record provide roster value independent of their offensive contributions. However, his floor is concerning given the hands issues and physical limitations that could limit his offensive snaps. Brown represents the classic speed prospect dilemma: explosive potential paired with significant developmental needs that may never fully resolve.
Written By:
Wyatt Brooks (SEC)
How other scouting services rate Barion Brown (Overall Rank)
All Scouts AverageOverall Rank
263.0
All Scouts AveragePosition Rank
36.0
*Percentile Ranking in Player's Position Group (NFL Combine Historical Data): This percentile reflects how a player's specific statistics rank
in comparison to historical performances at the NFL Combine, specifically within their position group. A higher percentile indicates a better performance.
For instance, being in the 90th percentile for a particular stat means the player outperformed 90% of their peers in that category.
*Similarity Percentage: This percentage is calculated based on a comprehensive analysis of various factors, including height, weight, 40-yard dash times, on-field performance statistics, and overall player rating. The analysis is conducted against our database of draft prospects from 2021 to 2023. This similarity score helps in evaluating how closely a current prospect aligns with past prospects. It is important to note, however, that this score reflects similarities based on college production and attributes, and does not account for eventual success or performance in the NFL.
*Similarity Percentage: This percentage is calculated based on a comprehensive analysis of various factors, including height, weight, 40-yard dash times, on-field performance statistics, and overall player rating. The analysis is conducted against our database of draft prospects from 2021 to 2023. This similarity score helps in evaluating how closely a current prospect aligns with past prospects. It is important to note, however, that this score reflects similarities based on college production and attributes, and does not account for eventual success or performance in the NFL.