ESPN ranks the Gators' bruising junior as the nation's second-best rusher, highlighting his elite footwork and loyalty to Gainesville as a cornerstone of Jon Sumrall's new-look offense.
With the 2026 college football season around the corner, Florida Gators fans are excited to see how newly hired head coach Jon Sumrall will perform in his first year in Gainesville.
One of the most important parts of the program’s success this upcoming season will come down to junior running back Jadan Baugh. The outstanding rusher was an excellent part of Florida’s offensive attack in 2025 and is set to become a focal point for Sumrall’s offense this fall.
In a recent article discussing the top running backs in college football prior to the 2026 season, ESPN’s Eli Lederman and Max Olson ranked Baugh as the second-best player at his position, trailing behind Ole Miss standout Kewan Lacy.
“Baugh operates at a sturdy 6-1 and 231 pounds; front office staffers gush over his footwork and ability to change direction at that size,” Lederman and Olson wrote. “Others noted Baugh's pass-catching threat out of the backfield -- his 33 receptions in 2025 ranked ninth among FBS rushers with 200-plus carries.”
How Will Baugh Look With Florida in 2026?
Baugh, a former four-star prospect in the 2024 recruiting class, has quickly emerged as a key piece of the Gators’ offensive attack for the upcoming college football season.
As a freshman, the Georgia native showed great promise while being a rotational back, recording 673 rushing yards and seven touchdowns on 133 carries. This would eventually pave the way for Baugh to receive an increased role during the 2025 season, as he ended his sophomore campaign by nearly doubling his previous season’s rushing yard total, finishing with 1,170 rushing yards and eight touchdowns.
His incredible final game against the Florida State Seminoles caught the attention of the entire college football world, as Baugh tallied 266 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 38 carries in the massive 40-21 victory.
In addition to their strong praise for the Gators’ bellcow, Lederman and Olson also stated that Baugh could be “poised for another big season” despite receiving interest from fellow SEC programs this offseason.
“Baugh turned down significant interest from SEC foes, deciding to stay at Florida and play for Jon Sumrall, and he appears poised for another big season in a new-look system under first-year offensive coordinator Buster Faulkner,” Lederman and Olson added.
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