Florida football junior running back Jadan Baugh is entering a 2026 season of great expectations.
The 6-foot-1, 228-pound Baugh was one of the few bright spots for the Florida Gators in 2025, ranking third in the SEC in rushing with 1,170 yards on 220 carries with 8 TDs.
Baugh capped his stellar sophomore campaign by rushing for a career-high 266 yards and 2 TDs against rival Florida State on Nov. 29, 2025, becoming UF’s first 1,000-yard rusher since Kelvin Taylor in 2015. It also marked the second-highest rushing total for a game in UF history, behind only NFL Hall of Famer and former Florida Gator great Emmitt Smith, who rushed for 316 yards against New Mexico on Oct. 21, 1989.
Baugh is expected to emerge as a focal point of the UF offense again in 2026 under first-year coach Jon Sumrall and offensive coordinator Buster Faulker. Expect Faulkner to utilize Baugh’s skills catching the ball out the backfield, as well. Baugh has proven to be an adept receiver, catching 37 passes for 243 yards and 3 TDs in his UF career.
Here’s what some experts think Baugh can accomplish during the 2026 season:
What Lindy’s Magazine thinks about Florida football RB Jadan Baugh
Lindy’s Magazine rates Baugh as an All-SEC second team running back, behind Ahmad Hardy of Missouri and Kewan Lacy of Ole Miss.
The 5-10, 206-pound Hardy rushed for an SEC-high 1,649 yards and 16 TDs on 6.4 yards per carry, while the 5-11, 200-pound Lacy rushed for 1,567 yards and 24 TDs on 5.1 ypc.
Baugh will get a chance to prove he’s better than both running backs in head-to-head meetings, when UF hosts Ole Miss at The Swamp on Sept. 26, followed by a matchup at Missouri on Oct. 3
What Phil Steele Magazine thinks about Florida football RB Jadan Baugh
Phil Steele Magazine rates Baugh as the fourth best draft eligible running back in college football in 2026. a second-team All-SEC running back and a fourth-team All-American.
Steele is expecting Baugh to thrive in new offensive coordinator Buster Faulkner’s scheme, which will spread the field more to create run lanes.
What The Athletic thinks about Florida football RB Jadan Baugh
The Athletic NFL Draft analyst Dane Bulger projects Baugh as the first running back taken in the NFL Draft, going 22nd overall to the Houston Texans.
“Baugh brings size, strength and quickness to the position,” Bugler wrote. “He averaged 5.3 yards per carry last season and made his presence felt on third downs.”
What CBS Sports thinks about Florida football RB Jadan Baugh
CBSSports.com college football analyst Shehan Jeyarajah lists Baugh as a potential Heisman Trophy candidate.
“Baugh was set to become one of the most sought-after players in the transfer portal,” Jeyarajah 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.”
Kevin Brockway is The Gainesville Sun’s Florida beat writer. Contact him at kbrockway@gannett.com. Follow him on X @KevinBrockwayG1.
This article originally appeared on The Gainesville Sun: Is Florida football RB Jadan Baugh best in the SEC? What experts think
Reporting by Kevin Brockway, Gainesville Sun / The Gainesville Sun
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By Kevin Brockway, Gainesville Sun | USA TODAY Network
