LSU’s Barion Brown ecstatic to join in-state Saints

By Ross Jackson

He may have started his career with the University of Kentucky, but wide receiver and return specialist Barion Brown made a mark with the LSU Tigers in 2025. Now, he’ll be joining the New Orleans Saints, who selected the electrifying returner in the sixth-round of the 2026 NFL Draft. 

The Saints are looking forward to adding his talents to their special teams attack, along with giving him his shot to earn reps on offense, but that may pale in comparison to the excitement that Brown feels to be headed to the Crescent City.

“I feel like with all the coaches and (general managers), I built a great relationship and I kind of always had it in the back of my head that I was going there,” Brown said in his introductory press conference. “(I) just love the facility and just love the connections that I made with them boys. Ready to go to work. More than thankful, more than proud.”

It was a serendipitous moment, receiving his call from the Saints. Brown shared that while he asked his parents to buy him one of each of the 32 NFL team’s hats so he’d be ready for wherever he was drafted, the store they visited had only one cap still available: the Saints.

That worked out well.

Brown brings his energetic and joyous nature to the Big Easy where his skills will be of great use. The 5-foot-11, 177-pound wideout is an explosive kick returner with six career touchdowns on kickoffs, one shy of the NCAA record. He holds the Kentucky school record with five and brought one back last year for the LSU Tigers. All six of his kick return touchdowns were of 99 or more yards.

WHAT. A. START. @BarionBrown Opening Kickoff pic.twitter.com/VYNl49a9hR

— LSU Football (@LSUfootball) December 28, 2025

Brown broke down what he believes makes a good returner during his media availability.

“Explosiveness and, honestly, fearlessness,” he said. “That’s the biggest one for me. Fearless. Being able to run through the smoke and keep your head up chin high and whatever comes with it. Just take it, take it to the chin.”

Beyond his return acumen, Brown was also the leading receiver for the 2025 LSU Tigers. His receiving capabilities have often taken a backseat to his explosive return ability, but it’s still an area of the game he believes he will also be able to contribute, especially with the ball in his hands.

“That’s something that I’ve been doing since a baby,” he said of his yards after catch (YAC) game. “It’s just like I got a feel for the end zone and [I’m] always looking to find an end zone. It could be a jet sweep, a deep ball, a screen, slant, whatever the case may be. I’m just looking to always score the ball.”

New Orleans hasn’t been much of a YAC team in the recent past, but perhaps that’s another area where Brown can bring some excitement. 

One thing is for sure, though. The LSU Tiger, first one drafted by the Saints since 2018 (offensive lineman Will Clapp), will be a valuable addition with the energy and passion he brings to the game. The on-field product is likely to follow suit.