TAMPA — Jadan Baugh shouldered the load to lift Florida as a dismal four-win season ended with his record-setting day in a rout of Florida State.
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Now, the Gators’ junior running back is ready for more big days and big wins.
Baugh arrived at SEC Media Days on Wednesday among the league’s elite backs after finishing third in rushing yards to Missouri’s Ahmad Hardy and Ole Miss’ Kewan Lacy. His unforgettable 266-yard night against the Seminoles offered a glimpse of what’s possible. The performance broke Jimmy DuBose’s mark for the most rushing yards by a Gator against FSU.
In new offensive coordinator Buster Faulkner’s attack, Baugh hopes to showcase his unique skill set and iron-man durability at 6-foot-1, 228 pounds while helping his new coach fulfill a promise he made years ago.
“Coach Buster recruited me when I was in high school,” the 20-year-old recalled. “He always told me these are things we can do with you: I’ll play you at running back, quarterback, receiver, whatever you want to do.
“Now he’s showing me he’s a man of his word.”
A two-way star at Decatur Columbia, Baugh was a quarterback, running back, receiver, linebacker, safety and returned kicks for the 2A school east of Atlanta.
Faulkner appears ready to capitalize on that versatility as Baugh rushed for 1,170 yards on 220 carries while adding 33 receptions for 210 yards in 2025.
“He’s definitely special,” linebacker Myles Graham said. “He can split out in the slot or wherever you need to put him. He’s just an all-around offensive weapon.”
Baugh also has been virtually indestructible.
“I don’t think he’s gotten injured his whole college career,” said Graham, who is back from offseason shoulder surgery.
During his 38-carry effort against FSU, Baugh displayed uncommon endurance and a relentless finishing touch, punctuating the night with a 12-yard touchdown run with 56 seconds remaining.
After averaging 19 touches during the first 11 games last season, he has spent the offseason preparing for a heavier workload. The strongest Gator pound-for-pound as a freshman, Baugh recently squatted 600 pounds while improving his speed.
“Each and every day they prepare me to take on 30- or 40-plus carries a game,” he said. “They always preach that because they’ve seen it. I try to be in a weight room, be able to put my body in certain conditions where I’m at a disadvantage, so that I can just overcome it.”
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To withstand the rigors of the SEC, Baugh won’t have to handle every carry.
The Gators have depth and options, including veteran transfers Evan Pryor and London Montgomery. Baugh also singled out redshirt freshman Duke Clark as a potential breakout player.
Still, Faulkner’s attack is expected to revolve around its workhorse.
“He’s physical, he’s strong, he’s faster than you give him credit for,” coach Jon Sumrall said. “I’m fired up to watch him play in this system. You get a guy like that in some one-on-one space tackles, he can run through you, around you — a lot of different ways to make a play.”
With 1,843 career rushing yards, Baugh would become the sixth Gator with 3,000 if he matches his 2025 production, joining Fred Taylor (3,075), Earnest Graham (3,085), Neal Anderson (3,234), Emmitt Smith (3,928) and Errict Rhett (4,163).
Smith remains the standard, having played just three college seasons before launching his Hall of Fame NFL career.
Baugh recalled meeting Smith during the Gators’ 2024 visit to Texas, where the UF legend offered words that have stayed with him.
“He told me, ‘You got it, and if you keep going in the right direction, you’re going to be where you want to be,” Baugh said.
Baugh acknowledged Wednesday that he pondered entering the transfer portal. Texas — where former Florida running backs coach Jabaar Juluke now works — made a strong push.
But after weighing his options, Baugh chose a place where he believes he will have a lasting impact. With close friends like Graham and Jayden Woods returning, Sumrall and Faulkner taking over and a chance to build a legacy, staying put became an easy decision.
“I understood where I wanted to be,” he said. “I wanted to be a Gator. Being a Gator means so much for me.”
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Edgar Thompson can be reached at [email protected]