GAINESVILLE — Keeping Gators’ tailback Jadan Baugh in the fold is a focal point for new Florida coach Jon Sumrall, even as he prepares No. 11 Tulane for Saturday’s visit to No. 6 Ole Miss in CFP’s opening round.
Baugh, who rushed for 1,170 yards as sophomore, is among the nation’s most-coveted players at his position, with Texas and Ohio State reportedly in pursuit.
Sumrall said Wednesday he and his staff will do all they can to bring back Baugh in 2026, rather than lose him to the transfer portal.
“He’s extremely high priority,” Sumrall said during a Zoom call from Tulane ahead of the CFP. “He’s a proven player, frontline player in the SEC. I have a lot of respect for what he’s done. We’d love to have the opportunity to retain him.
“It’s one of the top priorities right now …. would love for him to stay.”
The 6-foot ¾, 231-pound Baugh is a rare blend of power, elusiveness and speed, while also possessing impressive pass-catching skills. His 266-yard effort on 38 carries during a 40-21 season-ending win against Florida State in the Swamp was second-highest single-game rushing yardage in school history behind Emmitt Smith’s 316.
Baugh became the first Florida player to rush for a 1,000 yards during the regular season since DeLand’s Mike Gillislee (1,152) in 2012. Baugh totaled 10 touchdowns in ’25, including two receiving on 33 catches.
Baugh’s FSU performance was one of four games with more than 100 yards, all wins by the 4-8 Gators.
Top programs in need of a tailback were sure to make Baugh an offer before the transfer portal opens Jan. 2.
Texas is becamse the Gators’ top competition for Baugh after Jabbar Juluke left to become the Longhorns’ running backs coach after four seasons in the same position at UF.
A former 3-star prospect out Decatur Columbia, a small 2A school east of Atlanta, Baugh stands to make more than $1 million after earning a fraction of that as a UF sophomore.
Edgar Thompson can be reached at egthompson@orlandosentinel.com