Jadan Baugh has been a staple of Florida’s offense this season and has expanded his role outside of the running game. While leading the team in rushing yards, the Gators’ starting running back also improved his pass-catching abilities and become a viable receiving option for quarterback DJ Lagway.
He’s started every game, charting 808 out of the team’s 1,224 total rushing yards. He’s also logged six rushing touchdowns and ranks sixth in the Southeastern Conference in rushing.
“He’s the guy to stop as far as the run game for us,” head coach Billy Gonzales said. “He’s done a great job. A big, strong running back, broke out last year for us, is quietly putting together a really solid year.”
However, this season Baugh's involvement in Florida’s offense has not stopped there. His involvement and skill as a pass catcher has significantly increased.
Last season as a true freshman, he led the team in rushing yards, but caught just four passes for 33 yards. This season, he has 175 receiving yards and one receiving touchdown, and he’s second in receptions on the team with 31.
Across the last two weeks, Baugh has the most catches among Florida’s offense.
“The other part you have to remember is he’s an exceptional pass catcher,” Gonzales said. “I think he’s done a great job coming out of the backfield for us. He’s a kick returner for us, he’s a punt returner for us, he’s been handling some of those duties as well.”
Baugh has 59 return yards on a punt return and two kickoff returns. While he doesn’t often take on this role, it’s just another aspect of his well-rounded game.
The sophomore came to UF with experience at wide receiver, and those reps have contributed to his versatility. Baugh said he worked more on being involved in the passing game in the offseason.
“Being able to utilize my hands and help the team in different ways, I feel like is very good for me,” Baugh said.
Notably, he has led the team in receptions in the past two contests at Kentucky and Ole Miss. He logged five receptions and a receiving touchdown against the Wildcats and four receptions against the Rebels.
With his contributions in both areas, he closes in on a 1,000-yard season, which would make him the first Gators running back to eclipse that number since Kelvin Taylor did so in 2015.
“It tells you what kind of athlete he is,” Gonzales said. “We depend on him and we’re going to depend on him for the next two games as well.”
The Gators take on the Volunteers Saturday at 7:30 p.m. at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium and look to extend their 10-game home winning streak against Tennessee.
Contact Ava DiCecca at adicecca@alligator.org. Follow her on X @avadicecca24.
Ava is a sophomore sports journalism student and the volleyball beat reporter for fall 2025. She enjoys playing basketball and volleyball in her free time and going on beach trips with friends. She has been a Boston sports fan all her life (Brad Marchand we miss you).
