If the game clock hadn’t struck triple zeros, Jadan Baugh would still be churning out yards. The sophomore running back posted 266 yards on 38 carries in the Gators’ 40-21 win.
It marked the first time UF (4-8, 2-6 SEC) won under interim head coach Billy Gonzales. While the squad had not picked up a win in more than a month, the season finale brought out the fireworks.
In a turbulent season, Florida finished with a key victory over its in-state rival. The Gators have much to determine heading into 2026 with a head coaching spot yet to be filled.
UF watched as nearly two dozen seniors said goodbye to Ben Hill Griffin Stadium on Saturday. In a run-heavy victory, it’s important to look at the positives of a season where few knew what would unfold.
Now, the Gators face numerous positional questions. As the SEC continues to strengthen, Florida will turn to its current underclassmen and incoming class to remain competitive next season.
Here is what went into the Gators’ fifth win in seven years against the Seminoles (5-7, 2-6 ACC), and how they can use the victory heading into the spring.
Baugh added an unforgettable performance — and made history in the midst of it
Florida’s run game was highlighted all season by the sophomore running back from Atlanta. He became just the third Gator underclassman to eclipse a 1,000-yard season, joining NFL Hall of Famer Emmitt Smith and Errict Rhett.
“Being in a category with those guys, it’s just amazing,” Baugh said. “I don’t think I can wrap my head around it yet.”
Baugh, needing 96 yards heading into Saturday to reach the milestone, added 266 to his season total. The game plan was clear early in the game — feed Baugh.
He saw 38 total carries in the win, 11 more than his previous career high. Baugh also notched two touchdowns, his first multi-score game this year.
“I told the staff he’s getting 1,000 yards regardless,” Gonzales said. “We were going to get Baugh to 1,000 yards, and he surpassed it. He did an incredible job.”
He finished the year with 220 carries for 1,170 rushing yards and 33 catches for 210 receiving yards. Baugh has quickly made a name for himself as a Gator. His performance against FSU brought the second-highest single-game rushing total in program history. The first — Emmitt Smith’s 289 yards, 36 years ago.
“I always try to go out and play my hardest because you never know who’s watching,” Baugh said. “I was taught when I was a little kid that your first impression is your last impression.”
Florida’s freshmen made their mark
The Gators welcomed a highly regarded freshman class in 2025. Headlining the group were wideouts Vernell Brown III and Dallas Wilson.
Brown, a 5-foot-11 route runner from Orlando, made an impact immediately. His jaw-dropping one-handed grab in the Aug. 30 season opener against Long Island put everyone on watch.
While he missed some time due to an AC sprain on his left shoulder, he managed to post 512 receiving yards on 40 catches.
Brown’s presence was felt each week despite not finding the end zone this season. He averaged 64.7 yards across Florida’s four wins.
Wilson, Brown’s wide receiver co-part, also played an immense role when available. The former four-star recruit from Tampa was sidelined for the first four games of the year due to a foot injury sustained in camp over the spring.
He debuted on Oct. 4 against Texas, setting program records in the win. Wilson finished the game with six catches for 111 receiving yards and two touchdowns — all making Florida history for a true freshman in his first career start.
Wilson went on to start the next three games. He found the end zone once more in his first road start against Texas A&M, but was injured again two contests later. He underwent season-ending foot surgery following the loss against Georgia on Nov. 1.
On the other side of the ball were two additional play-making recruits.
Freshman edge rusher Jayden Woods quickly cemented himself as a vital part of the defensive line. He added two tackles across 25 snaps against USF in Week 2, and notched his first sack against Miami two weeks later.
Woods finished the season with 27 tackles, 3.5 sacks, an interception and a forced fumble.
The Shawnee, Kansas, native put his true athletic ability on display throughout the season. The young rusher also competed in track and field in high school, where he was crowned a state champion. Woods, a former four-star recruit, will play an even larger role on the Gators’ line with the departure of senior edge Tyreak Sapp.
Florida faced significant injuries in the secondary throughout the season. Sophomore cornerback Cormani McClain and junior safety Jordan Castell were both kept out of the season finale. Junior defensive back Dijon Johnson was available for just four contests prior to suffering a non-contact injury against Miami. Senior defensive back Micheal Caraway Jr. was also sidelined for much of the season.
While the injury bug hit the Florida secondary, freshman cornerback J’Vari Flowers received much more attention, while under unideal circumstances.
Flowers came to Gainesville from Miami Northwestern High School, where he won a Florida 3A state title in 2024. He logged 17 total tackles and a pass breakup in his first collegiate season.
While Flowers is undersized at his position, standing at 5-foot-10 and 187 pounds, he made a name for himself in his first year as a Gator.
Florida added the No. 12-ranked recruiting class of 2026, per ESPN.
The immense talent that will hit the field next season will be on full display in the offseason.
The Gators will welcome former Tulane head coach Jon Sumrall to lead the program moving forward.
Florida is the only school that did not lose a commit after experiencing a head coach departure. Former coach Billy Napier was fired on Oct. 19.
DJ Lagway remained poised in the final game of 2025
The sophomore quarterback headlined much of Florida’s season — partly for poor reasons.
What was seen as a possible Heisman and playoff year quickly turned into one spotlighted by mistakes. Lagway came into 2025 on a high after having won his final four starts of his freshman year. He threw six touchdowns in that span and brought the Gators a bowl game victory with 305 passing yards.
Then, this season hit. Lagway quickly caught the turnover bug and couldn’t seem to find his footing. He was sidelined through camp with a calf injury, which was thought to cause the uncharacteristic decision making.
“The biggest thing I learned from this year, through the good and bad, is you have to come to work every day and put your best foot forward,” Lagway said.
The Willis, Texas, product’s 13 interceptions on the year stacked up to No. 3 in the country heading into Saturday. He now falls just shy of leading the SEC in the category, close behind Kentucky’s Cutter Boley, who has 14.
A case can be made for Lagway’s depleted wide receiver room or lack of offseason reps, but the signal caller did not play up to Florida’s standard.
Freshman wideouts Dallas Wilson and Vernell Brown III missed time throughout the year. Also, junior wide receiver Eugene Wilson III was kept out of numerous contests with an ankle injury.
Lagway showed potential in Saturday’s victory. He came out of the rivalry win with three touchdowns on 168 passing yards — and, yes, one interception.
“He did fantastic,” Gonzales said. “I thought he managed it. He did a phenomenal job of putting us in the right plays.”
The second-year QB threw at least one pick in seven games this year, including his five-interception showing against LSU in Baton Rouge on Sept. 13.
Sitting behind Lagway is quarterback Tramell Jones Jr. The freshman has two games of action to show for his first collegiate season, but the talent came through. He played the entire second half of the season opener against Long Island and tossed two touchdowns for 131 yards.
He also came in for Lagway in the loss against Kentucky, but added just 60 passing yards.
While it is not expected to be a competition between the two QBs, Jones showed promise in his two outings. But don’t be surprised when Lagway is under center in Week 1.
“The season didn’t go how we wanted it to,” Lagway said. “Instead of looking back at it, sulking about it, use this extra time to get better, get my body better, work on things I need to work on.”
Contact Riley Orovitz at rorovitz@alligator.org. Follow her on X @rileyorovitz.
Riley is a sophomore sports journalism student and is the swim & dive beat reporter for Fall 2025 in her first semester with The Alligator. In her free time, she may be watching past Miami Dolphins or Florida Panthers highlights or hanging out with her friends.
