Jadan Baugh became the first running back to pass the 1000-yard milestone at UF since Kelvin Taylor in 2015. Sadly, the best season of his collegiate career came with a 4-8 record, and the coach who recruited him to Gainesville was shown the door. Right after the season, Baugh seriously considered leaving through the same door. After speaking with Jon Sumrall and getting a feel for the direction he wants to lead the program, Baugh is back to win and leave the program better than he found it. He got his accolades; now he wants to see some wins, just like his new head coach.
When asked about what made him decide to stay with the Orange and Blue, Baugh stated that Florida felt like home. “For me, it’s more just knowing where home was,” he said. “And that’s what I definitely did in my thinking process. I was like, I knew where home is. I knew where I wanted to be. So, Florida is definitely the place.” Baugh also revealed that he already has a positive history with new OC Buster Faulkner, citing back to when Baugh was being recruited to Georgia Tech, and to have Faulkner reunite with him in Florida was “meant to be.”
As great of a player and voice in the locker room, Baugh is looking to build upon his strengths and sharpen his weaknesses. What helps is the guys around him, both on the field and on the sideline. Faulkner will be responsible for designing creative and innovative ways for UF to attack defenses and install a much faster tempo to the unit. The best part of this is that Baugh doesn’t have to be the lone workhorse that he was against Florida State. Florida added proven playmakers through the transfer portal by additions such as Evan Pryor, London Montgomery, Eric Singleton Jr., and spring game standout Micah Mays Jr. That’s before even mentioning returning studs such as Dallas Wilson and Vernell Brown III.
For every successful RB, there is an O-line that helps set him free. Florida’s front 5 was the most disappointing position of the team last year. They had four starters returning, and the experience was anything but fruitful. New position coach and Gator alum, Phil Trautwein, is excited to return to the program where he won a national title in his playing days. With everything being completely different within the program, Baugh, among players and fans, is hoping for a way more enjoyable season than recent years
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