As dynamic back Jadan Baugh anchors a revamped offense under new leadership, his explosive playmaking ability puts the Gators’ star squarely in the national awards conversation.
The Florida Gators are still trying to find out their identity on offense as the team transitions from spring football to training camp.
The starting five on the Gators offensive line has yet to be decided. New head coach Jon Sumrall wants that unit to play with more physicality.
At quarterback, UF has a heated competition going on between Aaron Philo and Tramell Jones Jr., with the latter having a better performance in the final scrimmage of the spring. Philo is still expected by many to win the Week 1 starting job.
How the offensive line finds its identity and how Philo or Jones play after winning the battle will be key to the better units on the offense at receiver and running back.
Shehan Jeyarajah of CBS Sports named Jadan Baugh as the top option at Florida to be in the running for the Heisman Trophy this fall.
"Baugh was set to become one of the most sought-after players in the transfer portal," he wrote. "Behind new offensive coordinator Buster Faulkner, the Gators should have a dynamic running game with the star running back taking center stage.
"Baugh rushed for 1,170 yards and eight touchdowns on 220 carries for the Gators and is back for more."
The running back isn't likely to be a finalist for the Heisman Trophy; Arch Manning, Dante Moore, and Jeremiah Smith are expected to be the top players in the sport this season.
But Baugh could be key to the Gators earning bowl eligibility this season.
Sumrall has been challenging Baugh this offseason, believing the Florida running back has a chance to be special.
"I'm challenging him not to be decent at what he does, but to be elite at what he does," Sumrall said, via the Gainesville Sun.
"He'll tell you, I called him out in a meeting a month ago in front of the entire team about, ‘Hey man, I think you had a chance to be a pro in everything we do, with how we do everything.’ One thing I love about Jadan is he's very coachable."
Baugh could have a big season under new offensive coordinator Buster Faulkner, but the Heisman Trophy would be a completely different conversation.