Browns WR KC Concepcion: Everything you need to know from childhood to NFL draft

So, receiver and offensive tackle were at the top of Berry’s list in this year’s NFL draft. In the first round at pick #24, he had his choice of about three exceptional receivers. His choice was KC Concepcion of Texas A&M.

Who is Concepcion?

Beginnings

Concepcion grew up in Charlotte, North Carolina, although he was born in New York. His name is actually Kevin Concepcion, but everyone calls him “KC.” He attended Julius L. Chambers High School. He grew up a Buffalo Bills fan.

He played receiver and was the team’s punt returner, in which he returned three punts for touchdowns. He was ranked a four-star recruit by 247Sports.com.

He had college offers from Penn State, Vanderbilt, Wake Forest, North Carolina State, Louisville, Marshall, Maryland, Boston College, North Carolina, Charlotte, East Carolina, Old Dominion, West Virginia, Florida State, Coastal Carolina, Memphis, Mississippi State, and Georgia Tech. He ultimately chose NC State.

Concepcion is of Puerto Rican descent. His father, Kevin Sr., played college football at the University of Buffalo, and his younger brother Lloyd is a high school basketball star.

He has had a stutter speech issue that he has had his entire life. It has improved over time, and he is more patient when he speaks. He has mentioned a good support system regarding his impediment, and thinks about what he is about to say instead of just blurting it out as most of us do in everyday life. Obviously, this issue hasn’t been a factor once he suits up, and the Browns did their due diligence before they drafted him.

At NC State, Concepcion set freshman records with 10 touchdowns, 71 receptions for 839 yards. He then transferred to Texas A&M. In his final season, he had 61 catches for 919 yards and led the conference with his nine touchdowns. He also led the SEC in the number of punt returns with 25.

In his college career, he had 124 receptions for 1,299 yards with 25 TDs, a 12.0 average yards per catch, and 70 rushes for 431 yards with an additional three scores. Concepcion also returned 30 punts for 501 yards, two TDs, and a 16.7 yards per return average. For his college career, he scored 180 points.

In all, Concepcion has scored five touchdowns on punt returns: three in high school and two in college.

His Pro Day results:

Height: 6’-0”

Weight: 196 pounds

Hand: 9 1/4”

Arm: 30 1/4”

Wingspan: 74 7/8”

40-yard dash: 4.46

10-yard shuttle: DNP

3-cone: DNP

225-pound bench press: DNP

Vertical jump: DNP

Broad jump: DNP

College games: 38

College snaps: 1,783

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Follow on social media:

Twitter: @KCTheKid7

Instagram: @kcthekid2

What should Browns fans expect from Concepcion?

Here is a wide receiver who will give this new Browns offense more speed and versatility, plus he is a player who can help in the punt return game. An electric playmaker that offers open-field vision and quick separation. He has the confidence to play from different alignments, whether that is inside or along the sideline. Great change-of-direction, and spatial feel. Concepcion offers natural separation. His hand technique and catch-point control are otherwise sound.

WHY HE COULD SUCCEED:

Great speed player who averaged 7.2 YAC numbers in 2025, either by a pass reception, rush, or punt return in the same season. Very good numbers on jet sweeps.

Concepcion is expected to immediately become a force with the Browns’ receiving group, most likely in the slot. He is also a punt returner. In college, he averaged 15.1 yards per catch. He was #1 in success rate versus man coverage and #1 in success rate vs. press, #3 against zone, #4 in contested catch rate, and #9 in rate of plays in space with a broken tackle.

Great burst off the snap with over half his yardage gained after the catch. Legit deep speed will stretch the defense. Strong hands and body control. He gives Cleveland a rookie who can line up in the slot, move outside, carry the ball, and return punts if needed.

Accolades:

• Paul Hornung Award winner
• Consensus All-American
• First Team All-SEC (as receiver)
• First Team All-SEC (as returner)
• Second Team All-ACC (2023)
• ACC Rookie of the Year
• ACC Offensive Rookie of the Year

WHY HE COULD FAIL:

Too many drops. The Browns led the league last year in drops, highlighted by Jeudy, who tied for the league’s most with 10. Concepcion had seven last year alone and 19 for his college career. It doesn’t seem to be a clasp issue, but just not getting focused on each step, one at a time. Eye the ball, look it into your hands, grip it, then turn your head for the defender. Essentially, grab the ball before you turn your head. Same thing every receiver is taught in high school.

Concepcion has a compact build, which limits his catch radius. He does struggle to adjust his body and hands to throws with unexpected velocity. Sometimes has concentration lapses on balls that require tracking adjustments. Not a great blocker, but does give full effort. This will need to be refined and worked on.