newstimes
In a pregame warmup exchange before Florida's season opener, coach Jon Sumrall expressed gratitude to running back Jadan Baugh for remaining with the program, to which Baugh replied with his love for being a Gator. That brief moment would have carried even more weight had it occurred after the contest, given Baugh's spectacular performance.
Baugh, a 6-foot-1, 225-pound junior from Atlanta, carried the ball 14 times for 160 yards and three touchdowns, powering the Gators to a commanding 66-21 win over Florida Atlantic. He dazzled with elusive moves between the tackles, outran defenders in the open field, and even delivered a punishing hit near the goal line. Twice he celebrated by mimicking the Heisman Trophy pose after his scoring runs.
Wide receiver Bailey Stockton didn't hold back in his praise, calling Baugh the best running back in the country and asserting that having him in the backfield guarantees victories. The Gators now aim for their first 2-0 start since 2021—Dan Mullen's final season—when they host FCS opponent Campbell on Saturday.
Despite his explosive outing, Baugh saw only 25 snaps and was pulled early in the third quarter. His night ended after a career-long 61-yard run, where he stopped abruptly, made two defenders miss, and gained extra yardage. Sumrall described Baugh as a powerful, sudden, and violent runner who runs with conviction, adding that his style is felt on every carry.
That wasn't always the case. When Sumrall took over late last year, he analyzed the roster and told Baugh he relied too much on cutting. The coach advised him to use his size and run straight ahead, making him difficult to stop—perhaps even impossible. Baugh had already proven his potential last season, amassing 1,170 rushing yards and eight touchdowns in a lower-tier offense, becoming just the 10th player in school history and the third underclassman—joining Emmitt Smith and Errict Rhett—to surpass 1,000 yards in a season.
His standout moment came in the season finale against rival Florida State, where he rushed for 266 yards and two scores in a 40-21 win. That performance ranked second in program history, trailing only Smith's 316-yard game in 1989, and made Baugh a top retention priority for Sumrall and general manager Dave Caldwell. Despite never entering the transfer portal, Baugh attracted interest, including from Texas, which targeted him due to his ties with former Florida running backs coach Jabbar Juluke.
Sumrall secured Baugh's commitment with a Christmas Eve home visit, just five days after his father's death. He traveled to Atlanta with his wife, four children, mother, and her dog, spending 90 minutes with Baugh and his family. Baugh was deeply moved by the gesture, recognizing it as a sign of genuine care for his players. Florida compensated Baugh with approximately $1.3 million for the 2026 season, making him one of the highest-paid players on the roster—and after one game, it appears to be a worthwhile investment.
Key Analysis
Offensive coordinator Buster Faulkner highlighted Baugh's exceptional lateral quickness and twitch for his size, noting that making defenders miss in the hole is the top trait for a great back. He recalled a play where Baugh eluded a defender without any blocking, emphasizing that such skill transcends coaching. Sumrall echoed the sentiment, expressing immense relief and satisfaction that Baugh is on Florida's side.
Originally reported by newstimes.