Florida Gators RB Jadan Baugh dealt major disrespect disguised as praise after tremendous finish to 2025 season
When you look at the Florida Gators roster, they have a lot of talent, but only one player has a great resume.
Right now, the Florida Gators roster is filled with high-end talent. The biggest problem ranking them during the offseason is that the majority of them are more of an idea than being established.
Last year, multiple five-star wide receivers joined the Gators program in Dallas Wilson and Vernell Brown III. Both players flashed as true freshmen, but neither emerged as a bona fide superstatr that we expected to see.
Jadan Baugh only Gator represented on top 100 list
The best player on Jon Sumrall‘s team right now is running back Jadan Baugh. His ability in the backfield was the only constant for the Gators in 2025. After his massive performance against the Florida State Seminoles in the season finale, where he ran for 266 yards and two touchdowns.
On3 Sports’ Clark Brooks put together the top-100 players in the country going into the season and Baugh was the only Gators player represented on the list.
Jadan Baugh returns as one of the burliest backs in the game. Over 65 percent of the 6-foot-1, 231-pound star’s production the last two seasons has come after contact. With ground-oriented Buster Faulkner now in charge of the offense, Baugh is destined to be the primary focus of the Gators’ attack.
On3 Sports’ Clark Brooks
And heck, after his most recent showing – 13 broken tackles across 39 attempts for 264 yards and two touchdowns – that probably would have been a given even if Mike Leach ran the offense. When you sniff Emmitt Smith records down in the Swamp, you’re in rarified air.
Here’s where things get complicated. Baugh being the only Gators player makes sense with most of the team being ideas rather than finished products. The second is that Baugh is the No. 3 running back on the list, behind Ole Miss Rebels’ Kewan Lacy (No. 12) and Missouri Tigers RB Ahmad Harvey (No. 17).
Baugh is the best running back in the country bar none, and ranking him third is a slap in the face. It’s especially apparent when he had to carry the team the majority of the season. Quarterback DJ Lagway struggled mightily throughout the season, and Baugh kept the offense moving.
It’s evident that the Gators have the best running back in the country, and he deserves to be praised for the player he is.