Florida's Jadan Baugh Establishing Case for Heisman Trophy

Florida Gators star running back Jadan Baugh is off to a very strong start to the 2026 season. Baugh has been impressive throughout his career at Florida, but he has elevated his game to another level in 2026.

In his freshman season in 2024, he rushed for 673 yards and seven touchdowns, along with four receptions for 33 yards and a touchdown. In 2025, he took on a bigger role, rushing for 1,170 yards and eight touchdowns, with 33 receptions for 210 yards and two touchdowns.

In 2026, he has been dominant, establishing himself as one of the best running backs in the country. In Week 1, he rushed for 160 yards and three touchdowns on 14 carries (11.4 yards per carry).

He followed it up with another strong performance in Week 2 with 136 yards and two touchdowns. 

Baugh rushed for the most yards he has all season in Week 3 with 162 and found the end zone three times. The star running back has been the engine for the Gators' offense, helping them get off to a 3-0 start.

Florida finished with just a 4-8 record in 2025, but with Baugh playing at an elite level and head coach Jon Sumrall, the Gators have become the 21st-ranked team in the country.

With Florida becoming a ranked program and Baugh playing at an elite level on offense, he has firmly established himself in the Heisman conversation. Baugh is second in the nation in rushing yards with 458 and tied for first in rushing touchdowns with eight.

The Gators take on the fourth-ranked Ole Miss Rebels in Week 4, a game that will give Baugh a real chance to become a Heisman contender. If Florida pulls off the win over one of the best teams in college football and Baugh has a strong performance, he would instantly catapult to near the top of the list.

Sumrall has done a phenomenal job taking over as the head coach this season. The Gators are one win away from matching their 2025 season total, largely thanks to the return of a star player like Baugh. 

Sumrall also added more talented pieces to the roster via the transfer portal, helping the program turn everything around in just one season.

Baugh could be the top running back off the board in the 2027 NFL Draft, and he could leave college football with a Heisman Trophy.