More preseason recognition for Gators RB Jadan Baugh
Florida Gators running back Jadan Baugh has been named to the watch list for the Doak Walker Award, which goes annually to the nation’s most outstanding back. Big things are expected from the true sophomore from Georgia in 2025.
Baugh’s 2024 season saw him lead the Gators in both rushing yards (673) and total touchdowns (eight), while averaging a strong 5.1 yards per carry. His emergence earned him Freshman All-SEC honors, a fitting cap to a season that redefined expectations for the young back.
Baugh began the year as a rotational player, but an early-season injury to teammate Treyaun Webb created an opening—and Baugh seized the moment. He truly announced his arrival in Game 7 against Kentucky, rushing 22 times for 106 yards and five touchdowns in a 48–20 victory. His five rushing scores tied the school’s single-game record.
Baugh’s impact only grew as the season progressed. With Florida clawing back from a rough start to finish 8–5, Baugh played a crucial role in the turnaround. An impressive 520 of his 673 rushing yards came in the final seven games of the season.
Baugh brings a unique mix of size and agility to the position that makes him a matchup nightmare. And beyond his rushing prowess, he adds value in the return game. He served as the Gators’ primary kick returner in 2024, averaging 21.55 yards per attempt
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Jadan Baugh also had a big offseason
Baugh’s rise didn’t stop after the season. His offseason work in the weight room has been nothing short of elite. Florida’s Director of Football Strength & Conditioning, Tyler Miles, spoke highly of his accomplishments earlier this week.
“Jadan Baugh had an incredible summer,” Miles told reporters last week. “He broke the team records, not only for his position but pound for pound—we have a formula, and he’s pound for pound the strongest guy on the team. Not only on the team but since we started tracking that, pound for pound the strongest guy that we’ve ever had. He is up there.”
Baugh on Monday was named to Bruce Feldman‘s College football Freaks List for The Athletic. Wrote Feldman: “The 6-1, 233-pound power back from Atlanta, who has 13.6 percent body fat, squatted 565 pounds this offseason, did a close-grip bench press of 350 and cleaned 335. He also moves well for such a big back, hitting 21.7 mph.”
The winner of the Doak Walker Award will be announced Dec. 12. No Gators has ever won it.
