Florida RB Jadan Baugh continues to receive praise among national media, and he’s the key to the Gators’ offense
The best player on the Florida Gators roster is widely viewed as Jadan Baugh, and he’s being considered for top honors.
The 2026 Florida Gators are a very interesting team to parse out. Head coach Jon Sumrall has the energy at an astonishingly high level with recruiting, logging his 17th commitment in the 2027 class. The biggest reasons why recruiting has been so good? The energy surrounding the program.
One of the biggest is reasons for success in 2026 will be running back Jadan Baugh. This past offseason, it was a very high priority for Sumrall, even spending Christmas Eve with Baugh at his parents’ house. It worked, as Baugh returned to the Gators.
Jadan Baugh projected to win Doak Walker award
While it’s way too early to talk about who will win awards for the 2026 season, but it’s summer, so it’s going to happen anyway. CBS Sports’ Austin Nivison did just that and predicted Baugh to win the Doak Walker award.
There’s a reason Texas tried to throw a boatload of cash at Baugh in the offseason, and there’s a reason Florida ponied up to keep him. At 228 pounds, Baugh has no business moving as well as he does, and that’s what makes him so special.
CBS Sports’ Shehan Austin Nivison
Last year, even on a bad Florida team, Baugh piled up 1,170 yards and eight touchdowns on the ground while amassing 210 yards and a pair of touchdowns through the air. Now, just imagine what Baugh could do on an offense that averages more than 21.6 points per game.
It shouldn’t be a surprise either. Baugh is the best running back in the country, with only a couple of other players even in consideration going into the year. It also helps that Baugh’s final impression was a massive game against the Florida State Seminoles, where he ran for a dominant 266 yards and two touchdowns.
With Buster Faulkner as the offensive coordinator, Baugh is primed to have a massive impact, especially since his offenses are crafted around the personnel. Baugh is primed to have the offense built around him, and it could launch the Gators to another level.
