Charlie Campbell
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Jadan Baugh Prospect Preview
By Charlie Campbell
Career Recap:
The Florida program disappointed over the final seasons under former head coach Billy Napier, but Jadan Baugh was one of the only bright spots for the Gators. From his freshman season, Baugh jumped out as a special talent. Baugh averaged 5.1 yards per carry for 673 yards and seven touchdowns. He had four catches for 33 yards and a score in his debut season. As a sophomore, Baugh was one of the best backs in the nation as he averaged 5.3 yards per carry for 1,170 yards with eight touchdowns. He had 33 receptions for 210 yards and two touchdowns. After the season, Florida won a fierce battle to keep Baugh from leaving in the transfer portal.
2026 Season Outlook:
The best games to see Baugh could include Ole Miss (Sep. 26), Texas (Oct. 17), Georgia (Oct. 31), and Oklahoma (Nov. 7).
Prospect Summary:
From his debut with Florida, Baugh has displayed the talent to be an NFL starter and a potential bell-cow back to power a pro offense. Baugh has an excellent skill set with size, strength, speed, and natural running ability. While some big backs have issues with weight, Baugh has a cut-up build and natural power that makes him a physical load as a runner. Baugh also is versatile and showed three-down starter ability during his sophomore season.
Baugh is a true power back, and his 220-pound frame is loaded with power. He is a physical downhill back that can flat out run over tacklers. He has tremendous contact balance to maintain his feet with natural strength to push through defenders. With his power, Baugh is an elite back for getting yards after contact. He can dominate tacklers with a wicked stiffarm and does a nice job of setting up defenders to leave them on the ground grasping after him. Baugh should be a real asset in short-yardage situations and at the goal line during his pro career.
While Baugh is a power back, he has good speed as well. Baugh has a burst to hit the hole, acceleration to dart into the second level, and he can run away from defenders in the open field. While he does not have Jahmyr Gibbs-type speed, Baugh is plenty fast enough. Baugh has excellent vision to find the hole with patience to set up blocks. He is a natural runner with instincts and feel to help make up for some missed blocks. While Baugh is not a shifty juker like LeSean McCoy, Baugh has some ability to redirect and has an excellent jump cut at the beginning of carries to set up his exploding downfield.
Baugh showed impressive receiving ability for a big, power back during his sophomore season. He ran fluid routes, had soft hands, and showed the ability to make hands catches on the run. Like all college backs, learning NFL blitz protection will be part of his job training when he gets to the pros.
There is no doubt that Baugh has the skill set to be an engine for a pro rushing attack. He looks like a future NFL starter and could turn into an excellent pro.
2027 NFL Draft Expectations:
Entering the 2026 season, Baugh looks like an early-round pick. Check out my latest 2027 NFL Mock Draft to see where Baugh is projected.
RELATED LINKS:
Fantasy Football Rankings - Aug. 17
2027 NFL Mock Draft - June 16
NFL Picks - Feb. 9
NFL Power Rankings - Jan. 26
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