Pair of Florida football players mentioned in ESPN's list of top playmakers in 2025

Florida football players Caleb Banks and Jadan Baugh have been included in ESPN's list of college football's top playmakers for the 2025 season.

Banks, a redshirt senior defensive lineman, is entering his final season after making a splash in 2024, tallying 21 tackles (10 solo) that included seven tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks, two forced fumbles and a recovered fumble in 10 starts.

The 6-foot-5-inch, 329-pound Michigan native had, by far and away, his best game of the 2024 season against the LSU Tigers in Week 12.

Banks had seven quarterback pressures, three tackles (two solo), a five-yard sack and forced and recovered a fumble on 64 snaps, his career-high.A running back who's going into his sophomore year, Baugh was a surprise emergence for the Gators' offense last season.Baugh played in all 13 games in 2024 while logging his first career start against the Kentucky Wildcats.

It marked the first time in program history that a true freshman quarterback (DJ Lagway) and running back started the same game.

Baugh led the team in rushing yards (673), total touchdowns (8) and tied the team-best in rushing touchdowns (7) while averaging 5.1 yards per carry.

He rushed for five touchdowns in his first start, tying the program record with Trey Burton (2010) and Tim Tebow (2007).Both Banks and Baugh are poised to play a significant role for Florida football next year and they are both capable of becoming game-changing forces, as pointed out by ESPN.This is everything ESPN writer Adam Rittenberg had to say about the two Gators.Everything ESPN said about Banks"After a strong finish to 2024, Florida has a chance to take another big step this fall.

The Gators project well on defense, especially up front with Banks, Tyreak Sapp and George Gumbs Jr.

all returning.

Banks has started the past two seasons for the Gators after transferring in from Louisville.

He shined during Florida's signature home wins against LSU and Ole Miss, recording 3.5 sacks, 4.5 tackles for loss, a forced fumble and a fumble recovered in the two-week stretch.

He left the regular-season finale against Florida State with an injury."Banks' size, experience and ability to get to the quarterback make him a breakout candidate in 2025."Everything ESPN said about Baugh"There's a lot of buzz around Gators quarterback DJ Lagway as he enters his sophomore season, even with injury concerns.

But coaches and personnel evaluators say not to sleep on the other sophomore in Florida's offensive backfield.

"The Gators were 3-0 when Lagway and Baugh started together, and Baugh, despite only four starts, led the team in rushing and in total touchdowns (8).

He had five rushing TDs against Kentucky, the most ever by a Florida player making his first career start and tying the team record.

Baugh also contributed on returns and was one of eight SEC players to record two runbacks of 30 yards or more."Follow us @GatorsWire on X, formerly known as Twitter, as well as Bluesky, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Florida Gators news, notes and opinions.This article originally appeared on Gators Wire: Florida Football: Caleb Banks, Jadan Baugh among top 2025 playmakers.

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