Gators’ Jadan Baugh Runs to Daylight

782 of the 1,170 yards University of Florida running back Jadan Baugh gained in 2025 came after contact (Yahoo Sports).

Let that sink in.

Don’t move on.

Go back and read those numbers again.

That’s what we’re talking about here.

Pure power.

Dominance.

Game after game⎯

I watched as Baugh made a consistent habit of making the first man miss.

What fueled him?

Contact.

The harder the better.

The more carries, the better.

Baugh only got stronger as the season wore on.

Case in point⎯

Baugh saved his finest performance of 2025 for the finale against Florida State.

38 carries

266 yards

What makes Baugh so special?

I’d say Baugh was the most determined player on the football field in every game the Gators played in 2025.

He also has great instincts and vision. He gravitates towards open space.

⎯And he’s got this explosive initial acceleration.

Before you know it, Baugh is into the second level of a defense where the linebackers reside.

⎯And he’s got phenomenal contact balance.

He always keeps his legs moving. He’s almost always falling forward.

I only saw defenders drive him backwards once all season.

The rest of the time he was taking them for a ride.

Complete back

Baugh blocks as hard as he runs.

He’s legit on blitz pickup. I counted 32 times he stayed in on blitz pickup, and he handled whoever it was. I also saw him lead-block for his quarterback a couple times.

Baugh was equally as impressive coming out of the backfield as a receiver. He caught the ball with his hands, and he was every bit as much of a problem for defenders as a receiver as he was as a running back.

• 33 receptions on 42 targets (78.6% catch rate) for 210 yards and 2 touchdowns (Roto Wire)

What did I like most about Baugh as a receiver out of the backfield?

He was always making himself visible and available for his quarterback to toss it to him. Ultimate safety value.

Biggest negative?

To borrow some baseball terms⎯

He hit A LOT of singles and doubles.

And a handful of triples.

Two yards here.

15 yards there.

Three yards here.

Six yards there.

You get the idea.

Baugh just wasn’t a home-run hitter. Not on his 2025 tape.

He had one break-away run against Mississippi State, but it was called back because of a penalty.

Comp?

Baugh reminds me of a combination of current NFL running backs Ashton Jeanty, Quinshon Judkins, and Jeremiyah Love.

There’s also a little of Hall of Famer Walter Payton mixed in. I watched Payton growing up. He’s got Payton’s stiff-arm and Payton’s mentality of, “I’m going to get you before you get me.”

That’s some pretty good company.

Yeah.

Yeah, it is.

#13 Jadan Baugh 6-foot-1, 225 pounds

Daniel Kelly’s 2026 Fall Grade: First-Round (I would select him)

Projected by NFL Mock Draft Database to be a First-Round prospect as of October 15, 2026

2025 game film evaluated: Long Island University, USF, LSU, Miami, Texas, Texas A&M, Mississippi State, Georgia, Kentucky, Ole Miss, Tennessee, and FSU (click to view games watched to form this evaluation)

2027 NFL Draft Scouting Report

Selfless powerback. Brings a real presence to an offense. Stood tall in his pre-snap stance. Consistent. Punishing. Seven reps in Wildcat. Demonstrative nature. Strong and athletic frame. Sturdy. Thick thighs. Long arms. Energetic. Physical. Tough. Doesn’t hesitate. Needs space created for him at the line of scrimmage. No-nonsense downhill cutback runner. Runs high. Shifty battering ram. Squeezes every inch out of every run. Flashes the spin move. Average change of direction. Seen using his arm to windmill when changing direction. ESPN: 4 kick returns for 82 yards and 1 punt return for 6 yards.

What to watch for during the 2026 college football season?

1. Long touchdown runs?

2. How does he look changing direction?

3. Stays healthy?

Daniel Kelly is a former NFL Scout with the New York Jets. He was hired on the regime which featured Bill Parcells, Bill Belichick, Scott Pioli, Mike Tannenbaum, and Dick Haley. He is currently the Editor-in-Chief for First Round Mock, and has written for Sports Illustrated (Lions, Jets, and 49ers), NFL Draft Diamonds, and Yardbarker, as well as appearing as a guest on ESPN Radio, Fox Sports Radio, and Fearless with Jason Whitlock. Featured in USA Today. For more information, visit whateverittakesbook.com. Follow on Twitter @firstroundmock.