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Two Gators make Bruce Feldman's College football Freaks List 2025

On3 imageby: Keith Niebuhr08/04/25On3Keith
jadan baugh
Doug Engle/Gainesville Sun / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Each summer, Bruce Feldman‘s College football Freaks List for The Athletic is one of the most-anticipated features for die-hards. And this year’s edition, released Monday, includes two Florida Gators. As Feldman noted, “I rely on the intel from coaches, schools, teammates, parents, NFL scouts, NFL Scouting Combine trainers and agents.”

Here is what he said about the UF players on his list ….

No. 40 Jayden Woods, EDGE

Feldman: “The four-star recruit from Kansas, who was a 6A state champion in shot put and discus, has added 15 pounds since arriving last winter. Woods has wowed coaches with his explosiveness, intelligence and work ethic. At 6-3, 244, Woods broad jumped 10-5 this offseason and vertical jumped 33.5 inches. His shuttle time was 4.28. He squatted 555 pounds and power cleaned 365. ILB Aaron Chiles is another similarly sized Freaky defender. The 243-pound sophomore vertical jumped 9-10 1/2 and cleaned 345 pounds at 243.”

Gators Online take: Woods is one of the true freshmen to watch this season for the Gators. As  Zach Abolverdi of Gators Online noted Sunday, “[Woods] was the story of the spring and played with the starters in the Orange & Blue Game. Gators Online reported in the latest War Room that Woods has continued to work with the first-team defense in training camp.” Woods was a late flip from Penn State last year and is poised for a big first season in Gainesville. Even though the Gators have quality and depth at his position.

No. 53 Jadan Baugh, Florida, running back

Feldman: “As a true freshman, Baugh gave the Gators a huge spark in the second half of the season, shining against Georgia, Texas, LSU and Ole Miss. He also had big performances against FSU and Kentucky, when he had a program-record five rushing TDs. Baugh led the Gators with 673 yards, averaging over five yards per carry to go with eight TDs. 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.”

Gators Online take: Baugh is built a lot like the great SEC running backs of the 1980s. Defenses were constructed to stop those guys in that era. They aren’t now. Because of that, his combination of power, speed, balance, vision, one-cut ability and versatility should continue to give the opposition fits. Baugh is trending toward becoming an elite back. He likely will make a big jump from Years 1 to 2.

Who is No. 1 on Feldman’s list: That would be Ohio State receiver Jeremiah Smith, a one-time UF target. Said Felman: “Smith’s 11-foot broad jump, 38-inch vertical jump and 23.5 mph on the GPS are jaw-dropping for a receiver his size. Smith, who also squatted 550 pounds, credits the work he’s been doing with South Florida-based trainer Pearson Sutton since he was 8.”

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